MCA: Rescind guidelines
Abolish restrictive entertainment rules, party leaders tell Kedah Govt
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA is leading the call for PAS-led Kedah Government to rescind its restrictive guidelines on public entertainment, followed by community leaders, artistes and entertainment company owners.
Even the PAS Supporters Club is joining in, criticising what it sees as an attempt by the party to impose its values on non-Muslims.
The guidelines bar female artistes from public shows but allow schoolgirls to take part in them, among other rules.
Taking the state government to task, MCA leaders said it was not keeping its promise to defend the rights of non-Muslims.
At the same time, they slammed the DAP, saying it was unable to stop PAS from imposing its Islamic values on non-Muslims.
MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung said the guidelines should be a wake up call for voters ahead of the general election.
In an ironic way, the Housing and Local Government Minister added, it was “fortunate” that the PAS-led state government had issued the guidelines early so that voters in Kedah would know what to expect from a PAS-led administration.
Chor, who is Alor Setar MP, said: “These regulations affect the daily lives of non-Muslims. If they (PAS and Pakatan Rakyat) emerge as victors in the general election, who knows what other regulations will come into play.”
MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said DAP, which claimed to work in close consultation with PAS, owed the Chinese an apology.
Describing the guidelines as ridiculous, he added: “This shows DAP is subservient to PAS and unable to defend the (non-Muslim) community’s rights and freedom.”
MCA publicity bureau deputy chairman Loh Seng Kok said DAP officials in Kedah should quit their party posts and apologise to the Chinese community.
“To seize power, DAP chooses the path of depriving the Chinese of their rights by allowing PAS to implement its theocratic-based policies in the community’s culture and festivals,” he said in a statement.
Johor MCA vice-chairman Jason Teoh noted that the new rulings in Kedah came one month before the Chinese New Year celebrations.
He feared that PAS would implement more restrictions in future, including for events like Chap Goh Meh, the Mooncake Festival, the Hungry Ghost Festival, various temple celebrations and Deepavali.
Gurun assemblyman Dr Leong Yong Kong accused the Kedah Government of going against its word of not imposing Islamic policies on the cultural rights, freedom and interest of the Chinese community.