Despite party’s bluster, DAP reps cool on rally to reject Hadi’s Bill
(MMO) – The BEBAS rally to reject Datuk Seri Hadi Awang’s Shariah Bill has found little support among DAP leaders, despite their party’s denunciation of the PAS president’s effort.
Malay Mail Online contacted several locally-based leaders from the secular party to see how many will join the gathering in Petaling Jaya tomorrow, but most declined to comment while some were unwilling to be associated with the event.
Only Klang MP Charles Santiago and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San told Malay Mail Online that they supported the group’s cause and hope to attend its rally.
“I am all for anything that is deemed unconstitutional and I think what BEBAS is doing is a good thing.
“But I am not sure if I can attend the rally as I have a programme going on that afternoon at my service centre,” Santiago said.
Lau praised BEBAS for the effort, but likewise said he was uncertain about attending the rally as he might have to attend to family matters over the weekend.
When contacted, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke declined comment on BEBAS and distanced himself from the group and its aim of demonstrating public rejection of the Bill to enhance Shariah punishments.
“I am not going to say anything. It (BEBAS) has nothing to do with DAP. If at all a DAP member attends the rally, it would be under his or her own personal capacity,” he said.
Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah said he had not heard of BEBAS when asked about his support for the group and willingness to attend the rally.
Other DAP leaders such as national vice-chairman Theresa Kok and party strategist Liew Chin Tong also declined to say if they will participate.
When contacted, BEBAS organiser Azrul Mohd Khalib expressed disappointment over the lawmakers’ refusal to join the public in rejecting Hadi’s Bill.
“If our MPs stay silent or if they support the proposed amendment to Act 355, it means that they are allowing injustices in their own communities,” he said.
BEBAS organiser Azrul Mohd Khalib expressed disappointment over the lawmakers’ refusal to join the public in rejecting Hadi’s Bill. ― Picture by Choo Choy May
BEBAS is scheduled to hold its rally at Taman Jaya park in Petaling Jaya tomorrow afternoon.
On the same day, PAS and other Islamist groups will be holding their gathering at Padang Merbok between 3pm and 11pm, in support of Hadi and his Bill.
The Bill to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, also known as Act 355, aims to raise the ceiling on Shariah punishments from three years’ imprisonment, six strokes of the cane and an RM5,000 fine to 30 years’ imprisonment, 100 strokes, and an RM100,000 fine.
It is expected to be tabled in the Parliament sitting next month.
DAP’s previous rejection of the attempt to expand Shariah law here caused it to declare the Pakatan Rakyat electoral pact dead in 2015.
