KOTA KINABALU: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is urging Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to take stern action to resolve national issues involving the Hudud law, seizures of the Bibles and the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) refusal to act on civil court orders.
Speaking at a joint annual general meeting of Api Api, Likas, Inanam and Moyog divisions held here yesterday, the deputy president of LDP, Datuk Chin Su Phin, pointed out that a majority of the people want to see the Prime Minister speaking up firmly on the issue that Hudud law is unsuitable for multicultural Malaysia.
“On the seizures of the Bibles, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department’s refusal to return the Bibles is a flagrant disrespect of the law, our Prime Minister and the Menteri Besar of Selangor. We absolutely cannot allow civil servants to act in such a high-handed manner and in complete disregard for the civil court and the Prime Minister,” he stressed.
Chin, who is also the LDP Api-Api division chairman, further said in his speech that the LDP hopes Umno will draw the line with Perkasa, as our government had yet to take action against its president, Datuk Ibrahim Ali, for his extremist views that have hurt the feelings of many Malaysians.
“Ibrahim’s defeat in the general election is proof that he was rejected not only by the Chinese community, but also other races, including Malays. This indicates that he has no right to speak on behalf of the Malays in our country,” he said.
Chin then said that they look forward to seeing Barisan Nasional, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, take firm and prompt action to rectify various weaknesses and shortcomings.
“The government should be tough on leaders who fail to perform, including incompetent ministers and defiant government officers,” he added.
LDP president Datuk Teo Chee Kang, who attended the meeting, supported Chin’s speech saying that the leaders of the country must have a ‘loud voice’ in fighting against parties that are using race, ethnics and religion as a tool to incite the people, such as Perkasa and Isma (Islam Melayu organisation).
“After all these irresponsible comments and statements posed by these organizations, the government must have a firm ‘voice’ to answer as we do not want to be divided by race and religion,” he said, adding that we, as Malaysians, are one regardless of the different races and religions.
Teo, however, reminded LDP members present yesterday that they must make sure that members who are from the Chinese community do not make any statements or comments that could lead to racial issues.
He also reiterated on the importance for Chinese-based Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to work together in regaining the support of the community they represent.
Teo said that it is very pertinent that Chinese-based parties should work together even more closely to regain the Chinese support in view of the very poor showing in the 13th General Election.
When asked on the progress of LDP and MCA working together to win back the confidence and support of the Chinese community, Teo replied, “we are working together closely. We are in contact very regularly and in the event of common issues affecting the community, we will try as far as possible to take a joint stand.
“For example MCA, LDP, SUPP and Gerakan, we have made a joint statement to reject the proposed implementation of Hudud law. That is, I think, a very good start. By doing so, joining our resources, I think in terms of representing the interest of the community it can be more effective as we will be a louder voice to be heard,” the Minister of Special Functions said.