Loretto also questioned the appropriateness of Teo remaining in the Barisan Nasional (BN) government as he claimed that the latter’s stand on the hudud law is against the Prime Minister cum BN Chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s stand.
Is it tenable for Datuk Teo Chee Kang to remain in the BN’s administration anymore as he has taken a stand against the Prime Minister on the hudud issue? This is the question that members of the public is asking, Loretto said in a statement here yesterday.
He was of the opinion that Teo should not be evading the issue by hiding ‘under someone else’s pants’ as he owes the public an explanation on his stand on hudud.
“He has made it very clear that he objected to the proposed implementation of hudud in Kelantan. But doesn’t it also mean that he will object to the implementation of hudud in the country if it is proposed.
“The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, was reported on 24 April 2014 in Alor Star as saying that the Federal Government had never rejected the implementation of hudud. The Prime Minister was reported to have said that there are loopholes and shortcomings that need to be addressed before the law can be implemented in Malaysia,” Loretto said.
According to him, the Prime Minister also said in his speech during the closing of Program Itjimak Pondok Malaysia 2014 at Dewan Seri Mentallon, Alor Star, that the law must be thoroughly studied and that both Muslim and non-Muslim-communities must be ready for its implementation.
“From the above, it is as clear as day about what is the intention of the Federal Government on hudud. Now Teo has made a strong stand against hudud in Kelantan, it is therefore reasonable to ask him to state his stand about the Federal Government’s intention in not rejecting hudud to be implemented in the whole Country.
“I think he owes the people an explanation and a duty to state his case in the matter? Is he against the Federal Government’s intention or not? Isn’t it logical to put two and two together and conclude about the feeling of the Federal Government on hudud?
“It is therefore laughable for LDP deputy secretary general Ho Jia Lit to say that we should not wrongly interpret Prime Minister’s statement as supporting hudud to be implemented in Kelantan. If the Prime Minister has said that the Federal Government does not reject hudud, doesn’t that mean it is going to allow Kelantan to implement it?” Loretto said.
Loretto added that Ho had failed to understand the issue and failed to address it objectively and professionally.
He claimed that Ho is blinded by his animosity towards Liew and the latter did not realize that Liew had given his extensive view on hudud two weeks before and it was published widely by the media.
Ho must understand that the issue raised by Liew on hudud is a common issue that concerns every one of us, he said adding, “We must deal with it objectively and professionally and not be blinded by our prejudice. Sadly, Ho is unable to see the issue clearly as he is blinded by his prejudice.
Loretto was of the opinion that Ho had failed to understand that Liew’s statement was not about the presidency of LDP.
“In fact, the leadership tussle in LDP is still subject to court of law and we should wait for the outcome of the court case to see who is the legitimate president of LDP. Meanwhile, Ho must act like a gentleman and a professional. He should not pick a bone and then talk insensibly. He should be practical and deal with issue hand on. And not be wishy-washy.
“Let’s give an example on hudud, if he is charged with sexual offence with a Muslim colleague in his company, will he be subjected to the Syariah Court as the complainant is a Muslim? Or if he is a victim and the offender is a Muslim, will be subject to Syariah Court jurisdiction and give evidence there? If found guilty, how is the stoning punishment to be meted out to the guilty party in a Syariah law.
“The hudud law, if implemented, is a major overhaul to our existing criminal system. We already have the criminal courts of law to deal with all the penal offences that hudud will be dealing too.
“Our Criminal Courts are competent to deal with all offences and that all Malaysian who have committed offences and charged in court should only be subject to one and same system regardless of their beliefs in religions.
“To separate them from religious aspects is an upfront to our Constitution on equality and jurisdictions,” he claimed.
Meanwhile two other BN Chinese based parties, MCA and Gerakan are also strongly objecting to the implementation of the hudud law. Leaders of the three parties recently made a joint press statement in Kuala Lumpur about their stand on the issue.
Borneo Post
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