DAP should pass emergency motion to reject Hudud by PAS

 DAP should pass emergency motion to reject Hudud by PAS

Press statement by

Gerakan Deputy President

Dato’ Dr. Cheah Soon Hai

17 November 2014

Gerakan Deputy President, Dato’ Dr. Cheah Soon Hai expressed concern with regards to the Penang state legislative assembly passed an emergency motion on last Friday urging the federal government to postpone the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in April 2015 until Malaysia achieves a developed and high-income nation. He was of the opinion that the emergency motion passed by DAP-led state to defy the introduction of GST by the federal government poses a serious challenge to the underpinning constitutional federalism of the country.

Cheah reminded that financial matters including taxes is listed under the Federal List as stipulated in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution which Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen in Penang should be aware and observe. He held strongly that the open challenge on GST shows unprincipled political defiance by PR assemblymen especially DAP that is more of partisan origin. He was concerned that the socio-political cohesion and nationhood with federalism as the cornerstone of the country could be put under unnecessary challenge by irresponsible politicking of certain indifferent parties.

“On behalf of Gerakan, I urge DAP to pass an emergency motion instead to reject the insistence of its PR counterpart PAS to implement Hudud in Kelantan. I am certain that it is a more welcoming pledge of more immediate importance as Malaysian public has shown growing concern on the confusions and fear created by the sketchy political alliance in the PR-led states,” said Cheah.

“We are appalled by a reported plan from PAS Kelantan to introduce a guillotine to amputate limbs of accused under the proposed implementation of Hudud, it is an inhumane and barbaric act which defies humanity. We strongly against Hudud and DAP leaders have immediate responsibility to stop their political partner from pushing the implementation of Hudud with concrete action,” said Cheah.

Cheah continued that the introduction of GST is part of the government’s tax reform initiative to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing taxation system by eliminating inherent weaknesses. GST is proven to be a better tax system in spurring economic growth and increase competitiveness as 160 countries in the world have implemented GST, including some of our neighbouring countries in ASEAN such as Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. He invited PR leaders to keep an attitude of open-mindedness with national interest takes the precedence in their political undertakings.