By Debra Chong KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 - The MCA is stepping up its pressure on Umno over the PKNS issue and is now also calling for a review of the Internal Security Act (ISA). Not to be outdone, the Chinese-based Gerakan has also thrown their support behind Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim for appointing a non-Malay as acting general manager of the Selangor State Economic Development Corporation (PKNS).
Gerakan Penang state chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan urged Khalid not to cave in to the intense pressure to rescind the appointment offer to Low Siew Moi as the first female and non-Malay acting general manager of PKNS.
"Although Gerakan and PKR are from opposing camps, we are of the same view as far as this issue is concerned," Teng said in a press statement today. He highlighted the fact that Low had served PKNS for over 30 years, with 11 years spent as the deputy GM. "All those who are opposing the appointment of an experienced, efficient and effective officer to helm PKNS just because she is a lady and a non-Malay, although a true bred Malaysian, is simply unacceptable in this very competitive world," he said.
A day after extending support to its political rivals in the Penang and Selangor state governments, newly-elected MCA leaders are continuing to flex their muscles in what is an attempt to win back public support. The MCA's Legal Bureau today demanded an apology from Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, the former Selangor Menteri Besar, for making "sensitive, irresponsible statements calculated to sow disunity amongst Malaysians" over the recent appointment of Low.
Khir had apparently said that her appointment undermined the "capabilities of the Malays to run a company like PKNS". "This is a clear and unequivocal violation of Article 8 (2) of the Federal Constitution where it clearly states that there should be 'no discrimination against citizens on the ground only of religion, race, descent, place of birth or gender in appointment of any office or employment under a public authority'. "Such a statement is also an infringement of Section 3(1) (e) of the Sedition Act 1948 for promoting 'feelings of ill will and hostility between different races'," it emphasised in a press statement today.
It censured Khir for going against the spirit of the BN and the intent of the Federal Constitution. It also urged the authorities to take immediate action against him if the apology is not forthcoming. In a separate press statement, Central Committee member Wong Nai Chee echoed the Pakatan Rakyat's calls for a review of the Internal Security Act (ISA).
"The ISA should be amended to empower the judiciary to determine the detention and its length, thus making inroads for judicial intervention, that is, ensuring judicial review for the grounds of the detention, whether the grounds concerned are substantiated according to the spirit of the Act.
Presently, the power rests with the Home Minister," Wong said. -- TMI
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