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MCA rejects Hadi's call to accept Islamic approach
Published:  Jul 24, 2017 9:23 AM
Updated: 2:46 AM
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MCA has rejected an open letter from PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, calling Malaysians to accept an "Islamic approach", as such approach can create disharmony, reported The Star.

The daily quoted Terengganu MCA chairperson Toh Chin Yaw as saying that Hadi's remarks were merely wishful thinking as countries that have already enforced hudud have not been able to check corruption and crime.

Toh cited Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Sudan and Afghanistan as examples where corruption, fraud and abuse of power are common.

"Their people live in dire straits. Even their welfare and interests cannot be ensured, so how can the impact on non-Muslims be any different?” he was quoted as saying in a statement.

Toh said Hadi's Private Member's Bill that proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355) was a "backdoor attempt" to implement hudud, and would omit the constitutional rights of both Muslims and non-Muslims.

He said the PAS president must also realise that his bill has also failed to receive support, not only from the non-Muslims, but from Muslims as well.

Toh stressed that MCA would continue to stand firm against "extreme religious-based criminal codes".

Hadi's bill to amend Act 355 was tabled in Parliament on April 6. However, the debate on the bill was postponed to the next Parliament sitting, which commences today.

The amendment calls for punishments meted out by syariah courts to be increased from RM5,000 fine, three years' imprisonment and six lashes to RM100,000 fine, 10 years' imprisonment and 100 lashes.

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