KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Central Youth secretary David Ong has challenged Democratic Action Party (DAP) leader Lim Kit Siang to lead the party’s 36 members of parliament to officially declare their rejection against PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355) in the Dewan Rakyat, rather than merely calling the Islamic party to ‘grow up’.
“Lim Kit Siang’s remark that not supporting Hadi’s bill does not mean opposing PAS was merely a general statement. He has yet to clarify whether DAP supports or rejects Act 355,” said Ong in a statement yesterday.
Ong was perplexed as to why Lim Kit Siang and DAP seem to be reluctant in making their stance on the bill, given that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) has voiced its support for Act 355, while Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice president Tian Chua has also stated that he did not oppose the bill in January.
During the debate in Parliament, Ong said Lim Kit Siang cited that other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, LDP included, as well as Sarawak Chief Minister and four Muslim ministers had expressed their rejection against Act 355.
“DAP should work up the courage to say no to the bill considering that even Muslim ministers are against it,” he said.
He also took DAP to task for lacking the courage to call PPBM, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) out for supporting the bill.
“Can’t DAP advise its political allies despite having the most MPs among them?” he queried.
Ong said DAP had empowered PAS when they formed an alliance in the past, which enabled the latter to table the hudud bill in Parliament.
“DAP has made a monumental mistake. DAP is not only unwilling to admit its mistakes, but is still holding back from declaring their objection on the hudud bill,” he continued.
He said any wise voters would see right through DAP’s ploy.
“DAP believes that it has secured support from the majority of Chinese voters. The party is now trying to please the Malays and Muslims, which is why DAP has been avoiding from making a public stand on Act 355 despite the proposed amendments violating the Federal Constitution.”
He said the Penang state government’s allocation to the Islamic religion has been increasing during DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng’s eight-year tenure as the Chief Minister, whereas funding for other religions was pathetic in comparison.
At the same time, Ong said Penang has implemented various halal and Islamization policies.
“This is a strong proof of DAP’s support towards the hudud bill,” he claimed.