MCA slams PAS for infringing rights of non-Muslims

Extracted from The Sun


PETALING JAYA (Aug 6, 2009): MCA today hit out at PAS’s outcry and use of "Muslim sentiments" on the "brewing beer conflict" in the Pakatan Rakyat-ruled Selangor and for infringing on the rights of non-Muslims.

Its central committee member and non-governmental organisation liaison bureau chairman Datuk Ti Lian Ker said in a statement yesterday Selangor PAS’s proposed guidelines regulating beer sales be made in tandem with the Syariah Enactment (Selangor) 1995 is "flawed and bad in law".

In calling for a blanket ban on beer sales in Muslim-majority areas, he said: "PAS is effectively extending syariah laws onto non-Muslims on the pretext of Muslim sentiments.

"We are ruled by law and not sentiments based on race or religion. PAS cannot in effect extend the provisions of the Muslim enactment and impose it on non-Muslims," said Ti.

Referring to the civil law for non-Muslims, he said it clearly allows non-Muslims to buy and sell beer in cans and bottles without any restrictions or licence.

"If PAS cannot respect an express provision of the law, how can we ever trust PAS to rule the nation and be fair to non-Muslims? How can DAP falsely assure the community into voting for PAS?" asked Ti.

He said enforcement officers cannot act based on the sentiments of a Muslim-dominated neighbourhood.

He also slammed Selangor executive councillor Datuk Dr Hasan Ali for his statement on Tuesday asking non-Muslims to travel outside Muslim majority areas to buy beer and blamed Barisan Nasional for failure of such implementation.

"PAS, as usual, is one up against Umno when it comes to showing their arrogance and non-tolerance in absolute disrespect of the rights of non-Muslims rights as provided by the law," said Ti.

He said Hasan’s arguments that non-Muslims have to drive further away to buy beer "is retarded and discards the existence of DAP as a political partner".

"(Selangor executive councillor) Ronnie Liu should advise Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partners, PAS leaders, to concentrate on the dakwah activities and not impose prohibitions and penalties on non-Muslims," he said.

On Tuesday, Hasan had urged Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to impose the beer ban in Muslim-majority areas in Selangor and called for Liu’s portfolio be reviewed after accusing him of "interfering" in local council enforcements on the sale of beer .

The controversy had resulted in a gag order by Khalid on all the state excos until today when he will announce a solution for the problem.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, when contacted, said he would issue a statement later on the matter.