Penang MCA fully supported the MCA presidential council's decision not to contest in the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election this May 25.
Its liaison committee chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said MCA needed to give full attention to the issue arising from PAS' proposal on the hudud law implementation.
"The Penang MCA liaison committee considers that the implementation of the hudud law by PAS will trigger a constitutional crisis.
"This posed a big challenge (after the country's independence) as it will be tabled in Parliament and a cause for concern nationwide," she said in a statement today.
Yesterday, MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan announced that MCA would not be contesting in the constituency as it wanted to focus on the hudud issue.
In GEORGE TOWN, Penang MIC liaison committee chairman M. Karuppanan described the MCA decision not to contest in Bukit Gelugor as a realistic and honourable action.
He said the by-election was not similar to the 13th general election (GE13) or other by-elections as the incumbent MP, Karpal Singh died in a tragic road accident and intense campaigning for the seat would be unwarranted.
"It's not about losing before a fight. We have three more years to work and win the seat in GE14," he said when contacted.
He said by staying away from the by-election, the Barisan Nasional (BN) could devote its machinery for the Teluk Intan parliamentary by-election where it has a fighting chance of winning.
Penang Wanita Umno chief Senator Norliza Abdul Rahim said although the MCA was staying away from Bukit Gelugor it should continue to fulfil its promise to serve residents of the constituency.
She said MCA's decision not to contest the seat to enable it to focus on the constitutional crisis over PAS' plan to table the Private Member Bill on hudud should be respected.
"This is the right time for MCA to bring the party back to the mainstream of the political arena and strengthen the party before GE14," she added.
Expressing his regret over the decision, Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak said the by-election could give an avenue to the MCA to regain lost ground and make further inroad in Penang.
"This decision was unexpected. Whether MCA wins or not is immaterial. With their current position, it's important for MCA to be able to reduce DAP's majority, otherwise the opposition will maintain its stranglehold in Penang," he said.
The Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election is set for May 25 while the Teluk Intan parliamentary by-election will be on May 31.
Bernama
Sun May 11 2014
CHEW: MCA needs to give full attention to the issue arising from PAS' proposal on the hudud law implementation.
SDG: UTP lahir pelajar berkemahiran, tinggi tanggungjawab sosial
UTP berhasrat mendidik pelajar bukan sahaja untuk mahir dalam aspek teknikal tetapi juga untuk menjadi warganegara yang bertanggungjawab.
MAA semak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan 2024 kepada 765,000 unit
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) telah menyemak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan bermotor baharu bagi 2024 kepada 765,000 unit daripada anggaran sebelumnya sebanyak 740,000 unit.
RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan
Apa sahaja pindaan terhadap akta itu perlu berjalan selari dengan persediaan mereka yang bertanggungjawab melaksanakannya.
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.