Rule by law, not sentiments

Extracted from The Star
Friday August 7, 2009

PETALING JAYA: PAS cannot extend the provisions of the Syariah Enactment and impose it on non-Muslims, said MCA non-governmental organisation liaison bureau chairman and central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker.

“We are ruled by law and not sentiments based on race or religion,” he said, adding that PAS was effectively extending Syariah laws on non-Muslims under the pretext of Muslim sentiments.

He referred to recent calls by Selangor PAS exco member Datuk Dr Hassan Ali that a blanket ban be imposed on the sale of beer by convenience stores in Muslim-majority areas.

Ti also referred to Dr Hassan’s argument that non-Muslims could easily buy their beer from the many shops outside Muslim-majority areas as arrogant and non-tolerant of the rights of non-Muslims as provided for by law.

He added that Dr Hassan’s argument discarded the existence of DAP as a political partner.

“The Syariah Enactment is enforceable only on Muslims. Non-Muslims have their civil and criminal laws and it is clearly provided that non-Muslims can buy and sell beer without any restrictions or licences,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

He added that as PAS could not respect an express provision of the law, “how can we ever trust PAS to rule the nation and be fair to the non-Muslims? How can DAP falsely assure the community into voting for PAS?”

“The rule of the majority must be with due respect to the minority. The continuous insistence by PAS that the minority give in and sacrifice our rights and liberties in the name of respect to the majority is tantamount to bullying,” he said.

He added that PAS cannot rule the country based on the sentiments or emotions of a few aggressive intolerant leaders who are out to be heroes in their communities.

“What if this Muslim neighbourhood decides to chase out non-Muslims from the neighbourhood one day? What about the right, liberties and sentiments and feelings of non-Muslims?”

Ti said Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu should advise his Pakatan partners (PAS leaders) to concentrate on their dakwah activities and not impose additional restrictions or prohibitions on others.