Religious Suppression: Christians say fed up with Najib administration

[pywong]

Strategy is so clear. Leader will pretend to say "Yes" but quietly tell the officials on the ground to block it. In politics, nothing happens by accident.

Christians say fed up with Najib administration
By Debra Chong
March 10, 2011

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The Malay Bibles contain the word ‘Allah’. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 — Christians in Malaysia say they are angry and fed up with the Najib government for what they see as a systematic move to deny their religious rights enshrined in the country’s highest law.


Spurred by the Home Ministry’s latest seizure of 30,000 Malay Bibles that cost US$26,000 (RM78,000) from Kuching port, the churches rallied together and issued a stinging rebuke today against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

They demanded he “prove their (the government) sincerity and integrity in dealing with the Malaysian Christian community on this and all other issues which we have been raising with them since the formation of the Christian Federation of Malaysia in 1985”.

“The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) is greatly disillusioned, fed-up and angered by the repeated detention of Bibles written in our national language, Bahasa Malaysia.

“It is an affront to them that they are being deprived of their sacred scriptures. Many are wondering why their scriptures are considered a threat to national security. All these actions in relation to the detention of the Bibles continue to hurt the Malaysian Christian community,” it said in a statement today signed by its chairman, Bishop Ng Moon Hing.

They demanded the government immediately release all Bibles detained.

The CFM is the umbrella body that represents over 90 per cent of churches in the country.

Malaysian Christians make up close to 10 per cent of the 28 million population; with the biggest numbers based in Sarawak and Sabah, where the main language used by the Bumiputeras in churches is Bahasa Malaysia.

The CFM noted that the federal government has been thwarting all attempts to import Malay Bibles from outside Malaysia since March 2009, “despite repeated appeals which resulted in the prime minister making a decision to release the Alkitab held in Port Klang in December 2009 which was reported to CFM leaders by several Cabinet ministers and their aides.

“This is notwithstanding that the government in its attempt to justify its position against the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the Alkitab, the government had given the assurance that the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia will be freely available, at least in Sabah and Sarawak,” it said.

The Catholic Church had won a landmark judgment on December 31, 2009 that gives it the right to publish the word, but has effectively been barred from doing so pending the government’s appeal.

The group pointed to two separate shipments totalling 15,000 copies that had been seized by Home Ministry officials and left to languish for over a year at Kuching port and Port Klang in Selangor.

CFM said officials at Port Klang have steadfastly refused to release the 5,000 copies imported by the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM).

“In absolute disregard of this decision, the 5,000 copies of the Alkitab remain detained,” CFM said.

It added that there were other shipments of Bibles and other Christian material before March 2009 that were confiscated by ministry officials that have yet to be returned to their owners.

One such case involves Sarawakian Christian Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, whose personal collection of Christian CDs — bought on a trip to Indonesia — were seized by Malaysian Customs officials at the airport here in May 2008 allegedly for being a threat to national security.

Jill filed to sue the Home Ministry at the High Court here but her case has also been languishing in the courts.

Her lawyer, Annou Xavier, told reporters in Putrajaya that the case was fixed to be mentioned today, but no hearing date was given.

CFM questioned if the government was powerless to act against these “little Napoleons” who substitute their own interests and agenda in place of the prime minister’s directives”.

“We would ask how the government’s transformation programme can be successfully implemented if civil servants can blatantly refuse to obey the prime minister’s order?”

Ng told The Malaysian Insider today that he had personally raised the hold-up of the Bibles with the prime minister during a Christmas open house last year.

“He said he was surprised and told me ‘I need to go back and check but I’ll look into it’,” Ng said, relating his conversation with Najib.

He added that the PM was likely told that the Kuching shipment has been released without knowing anything about the Port Klang shipment.

The Malaysian Insider understands that the first consignment of 10,000 copies seized at Kuching port was released on Christmas last year after the prime minister stepped in.

Ng said the churches would continue to apply pressure on the Najib administration.

“We will not stop appealing. If we give up, it means the end of our religion,” the head of Malaysia’s Anglican church said. TheMalaysiaInsider.... (TheMalaysiaInsider....

[pywong]

If you look at this from the perspective of psychological warfare by the Ruling Class against the people, then everything will make sense. This is religious repression of the minorities, pure and simple.

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)
Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457
Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk

10 March 2011
MEDIA STATEMENT BY CFM

DETENTION OF BAHASA MALAYSIA BIBLES YET AGAIN

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) is greatly disillusioned, fed-up and angered by the repeated detention of Bibles written in our national language, Bahasa Malaysia. This time yet again at the Port of Kuching in Sarawak.

30,000 copies of the “Perjanjian Baru, Mazmur dan Amsal” i.e. the “New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs” are currently being withheld.

This is notwithstanding that the Government in its attempt to to justify its position against the use of the word "Allah" in the Alkitab, the Government had given the assurance that the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia, will be freely available, at least in Sabah and Sarawak.

Since March 2009, all attempts to import the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia, i.e. the Alkitab, whether through Port Klang or the Port of Kuching, have been thwarted.

The previous consignment of 5,000 copies of the Alkitab imported in March 2009 is still being held by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Port Klang. This is despite repeated appeals which resulted in the Prime Minister making a decision to release the Alkitab held in Port Klang in December 2009 which was reported to CFM leaders by several Cabinet Ministers and their aides.

In absolute disregard of this decision, the 5,000 copies of the Alkitab remain detained. The Prime Minister when told about the continued detention of these 5,000 Bibles at a hi-tea event last Christmas expressed surprise that the order to release the same held in Port Klang had not been implemented. However, nothing has been done by the authorities to ensure their release.

Prior to March 2009, there were several incidents where shipments of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia were detained. Each time tedious steps had to be taken to secure their release. It would appear as if the authorities are waging a continuous, surreptitious and systematic programme against Christians in Malaysia to deny them access to the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia.


Malaysian Christians, many of whom have grown up with Bahasa Malaysia as their principal medium of communication as a result of the Government’s education policies, must have access to Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia in order to read, comprehend and practise their faith.

The freedom of religion guaranteed as part of the fundamental liberties under our Federal Constitution is rendered meaningless if adherents to a religion are denied access to their religious texts in a language that they can understand.

It is an affront to them that they are being deprived of their sacred Scriptures. Many are wondering why their Scriptures are considered a threat to national security. All these actions in relation to the detention of the Bibles continue to hurt the Malaysian Christian community.

We would ask how the Government’s transformation programme can be successfully implemented if civil servants can blatantly refuse to obey the Prime Minister’s order? Is the Government powerless to act against these “little Napoleons” who substitute their own interests and agenda in place of the Prime Minister’s directives?

We call upon the Government to act now and prove their sincerity and integrity in dealing with the Malaysian Christian community on this and all other issues which we have been raising with them since the formation of the Christian Federation of Malaysia in 1985.

As an immediate step, we insist upon the immediate release of all Bibles which have been detained.

Bishop Ng Moon Hing Chairman and the Executive Committee,
Christian Federation of Malaysia

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Hishammuddin tosses bible hot potato at AG
By Clara Chooi
March 13, 2011

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Hishammuddin said the bible seizures were triggered by the AG’s as yet pending appeal over the 2009 “Allah” ruling. — file pic
PETALING JAYA, March 13 — In a bid to deflect burning condemnation over its seizure of Malay-language bibles, the Home Ministry today said their release had been delayed pending advice from the Attorney-General.


In his statement today, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein claimed the detention of 35,000 Malay-language bibles in Port Klang and Kuching port had been due to its pending court appeal over Catholic newspaper The Herald’s use of the word “Allah” in its publications.

But he gave his assurance that the matter would be resolved amicably among all concerned parties within the next few days to avoid turning it into an “emotive and polemic” issue.

“The appeal has yet to be heard by the court to resolve the bigger issue of content one way or the other.

“In respect of the bibles from Port Klang and Kuching Port, the ministry has since sought and obtained the advice of the Attorney-General and the two matters are being resolved amicably with the parties concerned, based on this advice, in the next few days,” he said.

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The government appealed the 2009 “Allah” ruling following Muslim outrage. The appeal has yet to be heard. — file pic
Hishammuddin also urged all parties not to respond to allegations and speculation on the matter, promising that the ministry would act lawfully and that the bibles had not been destroyed.

He cited the example of the Sibu by-election last year, when rumours were spread that some “irresponsible groups” had seized and burned the bibles.

“These lies were clearly intented to stoke religious and racial emotions for political considerations,” he said.

Hishammuddin also accused opposition parties of using the protracted bible row as campaign fodder with an eye firmly on the impending Sarawak election, which must be called not later than the middle of the year.

The minister was responding to calls from various parties for the release of 35,000 Malay-language bibles worth RM78,000 presently detained in Port Klang and Kuching Port.

Hishammuddin’s ministry had come under fire for impounding the holy books as many parties have described the move as an infringement of the constitutional guarantee to freedom of religion in the country.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has also been dragged into the row, with Christian groups now blaming his administration for the intractable response to their repeated petitions for the bibles’ release.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) has also lashed out at the federal government for what they see as a systematic move to deny their religious rights enshrined in the country’s highest law.

The CFM, which represents 90 per cent of churches here, as well other political parties including DAP and PKR have demanded the immediate release of all Bibles detained.

Barisan Nasional component party MCA has also agreed that “any restraint on the use of the Bible in the national language is tantamount to taking away non-Muslims’ right to practice one’s faith”.

In a recent statement, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek suggested that Malay-language Bibles be printed locally by government-approved printers so that it can be circulated to churches here with proper supervision so that it will not be used as a political issue during the Sarawak election campaign.

Yesterday, Sarawak’s Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan had called for the bibles’ immediate release, saying the state government could not understand the rationale behind such treatment of the Bible or why the Bahasa Malaysia version could not be imported into the country.

In justifying the seizures, the ministry claimed that it was adhering to a 1986 Cabinet decision disallowing non-Muslims from using words like “Allah”.

A 2009 High Court ruling, however, had allowed the Catholic Church to use the word “Allah” in the Malay-language section of its news publication, sparking off a series of attacks on houses of worship nationwide.

The ministry has since filed an appeal on the decision in February last year and won a stay, pending a decision by Court of Appeal. TheMalaysiaInsider.... (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/hishammuddin-tosses-blble-hot-potato-at-ag/)

[pywong]

Sunday, 13 March 2011 10:31
Home Ministry lied, say Christians, as row over Bibles intensifies
Written by Malaysia Chronicle

Bishop Ng Moon Hing, who heads the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), has denounced as lies a reported home ministry denial that it seized and locked up at Port Klang 5,000 Malay bibles shipped in three years ago from Indonesia.

The imported bibles have become a source of controversy because they contain the word “Allah”, which the majority Malay-Muslim community here believes cannot be used by non-Muslims to refer to their deities.

On Wednesay, national news agency Bernama reported the ministry’s clarification that the bibles actually had been refused entry into Malaysia for not fulfilling the ministry’s requirements.

Citing the ministry statement, Bernama said a letter of refusal dated June 26, 2010 had been sent to the importer; however, the importer had yet to claim the cargo.

Ng demanded to know who had made the statement.

“Who said it?” he questioned.

When told it was a statement reported by Bernama, and no name had been mentioned, Ng said: “Well, they’re lying.”

The ministry was responding to the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship’s (NECF) claim that the ministry had conducted the seizure.

NECF secretary-general Sam Ang, writing in its bulletin, claimed the ministry had confiscated and detained the bibles in Port Klang since the year before last, and continued to hold them although the Cabinet had approved the release of the consignment.

The bishop said the CFM, the umbrella body representing over 90 per cent of all churches in the country — covering the Catholic, Protestant and evangelical segments — has documents to back their claim and called the ministry’s bluff on the issue.

Copies of two letters, sent by the ministry’s publication and Al-Quran text control division to the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) which had imported the Malay bibles, were also provided to the media.

In the first letter, dated June 10 last year, a senior home ministry official wrote that the BSM’s appeal letter had been considered and the ministry in Putrajaya had decided to allow the release.

“Tuan diminta berhubung dengan pejabat ini untuk mengambil bahan penerbitan tersebut sebelum 25 Jun 2010 dari tarikh surat ini dikeluarkan. Semua penerbitan yang disita dan ditahan dibawah Seksyen 9A, 17 dan 18 ini akan terlucut hak menurut Seksyen 19(2) AMCP 1984 selepas tempoh 25 Jun 2010. Sekiranya tuan gagal berbuat sedemikian, penerbitan tuan akan dilupuskan mengikut apa-apa cara yang diputuskan oleh kementerian menurut peruntukan Akta yang sama,” it stated.

[In English, the letter reads: “You are requested to contact this office to collect the publications before June 25 2010 from the date this letter is issued. All publications gazette and detained under Section 9A, 17 and 18 will be terminated according to Section 19(2) of the Printing Press and Publications 1984 after the period of June 25 2010. If you fail to do so, your publications will be terminated in whichever manner decided by the ministry according to the provision of the same Act .”]

Ng, who is also head of the Anglican diocese in the peninsula, said the Bible Society and CFM representatives have been seeking help from various Cabinet ministers, to no avail.

“They give us their assurance that they will look into it,” Ng said, adding he had heard the phrase repeated countless times.

However, things changed after church leaders sought for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to intervene directly.

The delay in the bibles’ release has cost Najib Christian goodwill.Ng said he had spoken personally with Najib a few times about Christian dilemma over the Malay bibles stuck at the ports in Klang and Kuching, including at last year’s Christmas tea party hosted by the Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam.

“After we met the prime minister, the ruling was reversed very quickly,” the bishop said.

A consignment of 10,000 Malay bibles locked up in Kuching were released to the importer, a local branch of international Christian group, The Gideons, the same day.

The 5,000 held in Port Klang, however, remained under the home ministry’s lock and key.

Ng said the PM very likely was not given the full picture and was not aware there was another shipment of 5,000 bibles imported by BSM.

“He sounded surprised. If you are the prime minister and were told one side had been released, you’d think that’s the end of the matter. Case closed,” Ng said, in Najib’s defence.

The bishop related that the PM seemed surprised when he was reminded about the Port Klang shipment and promised he would look into it.

But three months have passed since that private conversation on December 25 and the Christian groups have yet to get word from home ministry officials to collect their languishing cargo.

Instead, CFM received another report that a third consignment of Malay bibles, this time for 30,000 copies costing US$26,000 (RM78,000) meant for the Sarawak Christian market, have been carted off from Kuching port to the home ministry’s local office and put under lock.

Fed-up and angry at the unresponsive treatment from the Najib administration, CFM rebuked the PM in an open letter yesterday, signalling that Christians are likely to increase pressure in other ways to protect their religious rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, the highest law of the land.

“As long as this matter is not resolved, we have no choice,” Ng said.

“This is the Christian holy book. If Christians are not allowed to read the holy book in their own language, then we can’t talk about religious freedoms,” he added, referring to the Bumiputera Christians whom he said formed the biggest segment of believers in the country.

Christians make up close to 10 per cent of Malaysia’s 28 million population.

Its biggest bases are in Sarawak and Sabah, where the national language, Bahasa Malaysia, is used in churches to preach to the multi-ethnic congregation who each have a distinctive tribal language.

But evangelist churches there, notably the Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB), have spread their wings and crossed the South China Sea to preach to the growing number of Sarawakians and Sabahans who are settling down in the peninsula after furthering their studies or finding work here.

The bishop stressed that there was not only one type of language that could be used for the bible and Christians “cannot be asked to change to another holy book”.

malaysia-chronicle.... (http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=8941:malay-language-bibles-home-ministry-lied-says-bishop-as-row-intensifies&Itemid=2)

[pywong]

Professor Jomo Sundaram, Assistant Secretary-General on Economic Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, once made a very profound statement: The fight between UMNO/BN and Pakatan Rakyat is merely a "Clash of Interests".

As a corollary to that, always ask yourself "Where does the interest of a particular group lie. That will dictate the actions." You will find this approach very helpful in understanding UMNO's actions.
They don't want national unity because their strategy on maintaining power is the old colonialist way of "Divide-and-Rule!"

Arab Christians express concern about Malaysian Bible row
By Clara Chooi
March 14, 2011

PETALING JAYA, March 14 — The lengthy row over Bahasa Malaysia Bibles and the “Allah” controversy has sparked off international concern among the Arab Christian community, triggering them to urge the Najib administraton for a quick resolution to the issues.

Religious leaders from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), led by its president, Bishop Munib A. Younan, met with unity affairs minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon last Thursday, where both issues were discussed extensively.

Younan also urged Koh to initiate the release of the 35,000 Malay-language Bibles currently held by the government in two separate ports in the country.

In the discussion, Younan had also told Koh that the tussle over the word “Allah” between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities here has baffled the Christians of the Arab world who have been using the word for over 2,000 years.


“Something we cannot understand in the Arab world and the whole world is when Malaysia prohibits Malaysian Christians from using the name of Allah because we have used it for 2,000 years and until this moment, no one has stopped us.

“If we, the Arab Christians are using it in the heart of the Muslim and Arab world, then why can’t the Malaysian Christians use it?” Younan told reporters in Armada Hotel here yesterday.

Younan, who is also the bishop for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), added that it would be good for Malaysia to show a pluralistic nature by allowing non-Muslims to use “Allah” in their prayers as the country’s constitution provided for religious freedom.

“It is not a challenge to others or a cause for confusion... on the contrary, every religion has the right to use the name of God in any way that they want,” he stressed.

In rejecting the government’s move to detain 35,000 Malay-language Bibles, Younan pointed out that the holy books merely promoted love and moral deeds.

“I said (to Koh) that it does not give a good indication to this whole issue. I think it is very important that people have their own Bibles and to read them because it is better to have the Bible than to have something else because the Bible teaches you love of God and your neighbour,” he reasoned.

Younan added that he had also expressed hope to Koh that the Malaysian government emulated the move by the Jordanian King in allocating 5,000 square metres of free land to churches to allow them to build their respective houses of worship.

“The King gave every church 5,000 square metres of land free on the baptism site along the River Jordan. My Lutheran Church received this precious land, we got a permit and duty-free and tax-free materials to build it.

“We hope Malaysia can follow in these footsteps because it is important to help complete this freedom of religion in Malaysia,” he said.

Younan claimed that upon hearing the views during the over two hour meet, Koh promised that he would raise the issues up with the administration.

“I spoke to him in my capacity as the LWF president and he promised to do something. He has received our message and we will continue to write each other on this,” he said.

The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition founded in Sweden in 1947. It presently has 145 member churches in 79 countries across the globe, including four in Malaysia, and represents some 70 million Christians worldwide.

The Home Ministry has come under fire for its move to impound the Malay-language Bibles and is presently facing extreme pressure from the local Christian community and numerous political parties, including those in the Barisan Nasional (BN), to release the holy books.

Despite this, the ministry announced that it had passed the buck to the Attorney-General to decide, reasoning that the detention of the books had been due to the pending appeal over Catholic newspaper The Herald’s use of the word “Allah” in its publications.

Younan also disagreed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s recent assertion that Islam rejects pluralism, arguing that the religion in itself was pluralistic.

“Islam is a pluralistic religion. It has many trends, four schools of thinking and within these, many more trends of thinking.

“And if political leaders say Islam is not pluralistic, to me, this is unacceptable because then you would similarly have one party in politics and this works nowhere. You have to allow people of different understanding and conception together,” he said.

In a statement recently, Najib had warned Muslims against religious pluralism, saying that putting Islam on an equal footing with other faiths was unIslamic.

Religious pluralism is sometimes used as a synonym for interfaith dialogue or promotes understanding of different faiths with the objective of reducing conflicts.

Critics of religious pluralism however see the concept as a threat to the supremacy of Islam and claim that it would result in the religion to be equated with other beliefs.

Younan however voiced his understanding that in a multi-religious society such as Malaysia, misunderstandings between religions were bound to happen.

Citing his experiences as a son to two Palestinian refugees born in Israel and today a minority leader in the thick of the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict, Younan said that the best method to resolve conflict was through dialogue sessions between the different religious communities.

Younan recalled that during the international controversy sparked off by an offensive caricature of the Prophet Muhammad in 2009, he had called for the signing of a “code of conduct” among religious leaders in the Middle East.

“So 48 Christian and Muslim leaders alike signed this code where we said that we have to respect each others’ traditions, symbolism, prophets, cultures and holy places. Freedom of expression does not mean insulting other religions.

“We were clear on these and together, we made this public. I believe that there are enough values in Christianity and Islam that are common like the acceptance of one another, justice and peace. It is enough for us to share a common ground,” he said.

Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard had invited heavy criticism from the Islamic world over his caricature of Prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb in his turban.

In another experience of interreligious dialogues in his home nation, Younan revealed that religious leaders of various faiths had independently formed a council of religious institutions in Jerusalem, known as the Holy Land, some five years back.

“We had the chief rabbis of Israel, the head of the Islamic Syariah court in Palestine, and the heads of the churches — the Catholics, the Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, all... and we are focussing on three objectives,” he said.

The council, he explained, had set up a special hotline to monitor any derogatory remarks made by one religion against the other.

“We monitor what the imams and the rabbis and the clergy are saying,” he said.

Secondly, Younan said, the council was now in the process of studying some 700 textbooks used in the school curriculum of Palestine and Israel to weed out discrepancies in any religious information.

“We have a team now reading about what these books are teaching about and once we are done, we will urge the government to change the curriculum to ensure that the books teach what they are suppose to teach about the various religions,” he said.

The council’s third objective, said Younan, was in developing a paper to compile the views of all religious leaders — the Muslims, Jews and Christians — on Jerusalem.

“The core of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is about Jerusalem and we believe that Jerusalem should be shared... for the Christians, Muslims, Jews, the Palestine, Israel, and only in such a way will there be peace in the Middle East,” he said.

He added that religious leaders in Malaysia should take similar initiatives to engage one another in dialogue independently in order to solve any religious crises in the country.

“But I cannot teach them what to do here, only offer these examples. Being an Arab Christian, we can help anytime if we are asked to because we have a long experience in this,” he said.

Younan admitted however that many often misconstrued dialogues as methods of proselytisation but stressed that it was the best way to promote moderation and reject extremism.

“When we dialogue, we speak on doctrines and we get to know each other’s teachings. The dialogue table should not be a battlefield for conversion but for the sake of being a good neighbour.

“We do not convert one another in dialogue, or work to convince one another of each person’s point of view... it is to present your point of view and if there are common values where Muslims and Christians can speak in one voice against injustices, then the dialogue is very powerful,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the Christian leaders of Malaysia were ready to engage in interfaith discussions with other religious leaders.

“And I believe that there are many Malay Muslim groups who want to do the same. For those who refuse, it is okay. We bring the moderates to the table. It must start from somewhere,” he said. TheMalaysiaInsider.... (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/arab-christians-express-concern-about-malaysian-bible-row/)

[pywong]

Alkitab row revives ‘Allah’ court case
By Debra Chong
March 16, 2011

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The 2009 “Allah” ruling caused Muslim outrage and led to attacks on houses of worship. — file pic
KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 — As Putrajaya congratulates itself for resolving the Alkitab row out of court, the spotlight has swung back to the Catholic Church’s protracted legal fight to defend its right to describe the Christian god as “Allah”.


The Church had won a landmark judgment in 2009 when the High Court ruled it had the right to use “Allah” in the Bahasa Malaysia section of its weekly newspaper, The Herald.

But it has effectively been prevented from doing so for the past 15 months pending the home ministry’s appeal of the ruling.


The 35,000 copies of the Alkitab were ordered released yesterday.

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The priest at the centre of the “Allah” dispute told The Malaysian Insider that he was “heartened” by the Najib administration’s decision yesterday to release 35,000 Malay bibles seized from port, bowing to pressure from Christian churches and Pakatan Rakyat politicians.

“It is heartening that the Word of God — the Bible or the Alkitab (as the Malay-language version is called locally) — is no longer a threat to national security,” said Father Lawrence Andrew who edits The Herald.

The home ministry has consistently argued that the word “Allah” is reserved for Muslim use only; any move to bring in Christian literature containing the word is regarded as a national security threat.

“(Datuk Seri) Idris Jala had emphasised that there was no problem, no threat since the ISA gazette of 1982 was implemented.

“The 1982 gazette as cited by Jala only substantiates the Catholic Church’s case,” Andrew added.

Jala, a Sarawakian Christian, said that the government had decided on the release of the Alkitab in line with a 1982 gazette under the Internal Security Act which allows limited and controlled importation and circulation on the condition that the books are stamped: “For Christians Only.”

“Since 1982, with this gazette, there have been no problems in its implementation. As such, taking into account this fact, the government has decided to apply the 1982 gazette and release the bibles accordingly,” the statement said.

Pointing to the Internal Security (Prohibition of Publications) (No.4) Order 1982, signed by then-deputy home minister, Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik, and the gazette on March 22, 1982, the document stated that the ban on the Alkitab was now cancelled.

It also stated that “the printing, publication, sale, issue, circulation or possession of the publication which is described in the Schedule and which is prejudicial to the national interest and security of the Federation is prohibited subject to the condition that this prohibition shall not apply to the possession or use in Churches of such publication by persons professing the Christian religion, throughout Malaysia”.

Andrew said the 1982 document was proof the home ministry had no right to seize the Malay bibles and lock them away, and that it was a separate issue from the “Allah” court case.


The home ministry's order in 1982 allowing the Alkitab for Christian use in church still stands as law today.
But the priest added that Jala’s media statement today was only a note, much like the 1986 Cabinet circular which made no reference to the 1982 gazette of the ministerial order and, so, did not carry the weight of law.

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The priest further accused the home ministry of confusing and misleading the public on the issues at stake by linking the seizure of 35,000 Malay bibles to the Catholic Church’s pending court case.

“The bibles detained now have got nothing to do with The Herald’s court case pending in the Court of Appeal on the use of the word ‘Allah’,” he said.

“The High Court decision was confined to and only concerned the right of The Herald in that publication and has no relevance whatsoever to the publication, sale, issue, circulation and possession of other publications, including the Alkitab,” he added.

Andrew was responding to earlier news reports of Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein saying he could not order the release of the Alkitab because his hands were tied by the courts in the “Allah” case.

“We also cannot take any action (to release them) because our court case with the Catholic publication Herald is still pending,” Datuk Zaitun Ab Samad, the ministry’s Publications Control and Al-Quran Text division secretary, was cited as saying by online news portal, Malaysiakini.

She added that any action on the ministry’s part would be seen as contempt of court, citing a 1986 Cabinet decision on the matter to support her argument.

In his fight to defend the rights of the Malay-speaking Catholics, Andrew had unearthed several government papers as part of his research and made several copies available to The Malaysian Insider.

The priest’s lawyer, S. Selvarajah, who was also present at the interview with The Malaysian Insider, explained that the Cabinet could only make policies, which must be made into law and gazetted before it can take effect.

According to Selvarajah, there was no such ministerial order given in 1986, he said, and pulled out a copy of several letters signed by then-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his then-deputy, Tun Ghafar Baba.

In a letter dated May 19, 1986, to the government’s chief secretary, Dr Mahathir had appended a memo from his deputy on a list of words in the national language that were allowed or prohibited for Christian use.


The Mahathir administration’s letters show a list of Bahasa Malaysia words Christians can use, and the conditions that apply.

In his memo dated May 16, 1986, the deputy prime minister listed out 12 words that could be used in the Alkitab, which he said was decided in consultation with two other Cabinet colleagues — Anwar and James.

Ghafar did not include their full names, but most likely was referring to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was then-education minister and the late James Ongkili, then-justice minister, before the latter left office two months later.

The trio also listed four words, including “Allah”, that Christians were barred from using — except on condition that the words “For Christianity” was written on the front cover of the books.

With the seizure of the bibles drawing protests from Christians nationwide, a majority of whom live in Sabah and Sarawak, the federal government was forced to take act yesterday.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia, which represents 90 per cent of churches in Malaysia, has said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak made a decision to release the Alkitabs but up until yesterday, the home ministry, which controls customs, had refused to hand over the bibles.

Christians, who make up close to 10 per cent of Malaysia’s 28 million population, use Bahasa Malaysia in Sabah and Sarawak churches to preach to the multi-ethnic congregation who each have a distinctive tribal language.

But evangelist churches there, such as Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB), have crossed the South China Sea to preach to the growing number of Sarawakians and Sabahans who are settling down in the peninsula after furthering their studies or finding work here.

“This is a reasonable compromise in managing the polarities of views between Christians and Muslims in the country,” Jala had said in his statement yesterday.

The Cabinet was set to discuss the issue on Friday with one eye on the Sarawak polls set to take place next month. TheMalaysiaInsider.... (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/alkitab-row-revives-allah-court-case/)

[pywong]

Typical UMNO Bodoh-sombongism. When will people learn that UMNO only understand the stick. Teach them a good lesson in Sarawak and then they will be more careful next time. Mar 08 Tsunami was not hard enough for them. They still managed to cheat their way through. A political party that cheats in elections cannot be trusted to govern.

We only need to tell UMNO this: We will see you at the ballot box!

Wednesday, 16 March 2011 19:40
Najib's conditional release slammed: Don't deface our Bibles
Written by Malaysia Chronicle

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Church leaders in Malaysia are alarmed over the home ministry’s latest directive for the conditional release of 35,000 Malay bibles and have refused to collect the holy books for the time being.

Hours after learning that Putrajaya had agreed to release their shipment of the Alkitab — as the Malay bibles are called locally — yesterday, the importers each received a notice from the home ministry’s Publications Control and Quranic Text Division secretary, Datuk Zaitun Ab Samad, informing them of two conditions for the release.

The first requires the importers to directly stamp on the cover of each of the 35,000 copies the following words:
“Peringatan: ‘Al Kitab Berita Baik’ ini untuk kegunaan penganut agama Kristian sahaja. Dengan perintah Menteri Dalam Negeri.”

[In English: “Reminder: This ‘Al Kitab Berita Baik’ is for the use of Christians only. By order of the Home Minister.”]

The cover of the Alkitab would be stamped with the department’s official seal and dated as well.


The second condition requires the importers to stamp a serial number on each copy, as if to demarcate copies from the released shipment and to enable the book to be traced back to the port of import.

A copy of the faxed letter was made available to The Malaysian Insider.

A Sarawak importer has refused to claim its cargo of 30,000 books seized from Kuching port and has notified the home ministry’s state director.

“It says it’s for ‘Christian use only’. But in Sarawak, we have family who are of all religions — Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist ... If we pass the Alkitab to our brother or sister who is not Muslim, if we do that, then it means we are in the wrong,” said a source close to the importer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“We cannot deface our holy bible,” the source added.

When contacted, the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) said it was seeking advice from national leaders in the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) before taking any action.

The CFM is an umbrella body that represents over 90 per cent of churches in Malaysia.

“BSM has requested CFM to study KDN 15/3 release letter which has additional conditions like marking serial no. /5100 and getting Cop Rasmi Jabatan KDN and dated,” its general secretary, Reverend Simon Wong replied in a text message.

Wong added that the society will not be making any further comments and that related queries should be directed to the CFM instead.

CFM general secretary, Tan Kong Beng, said its executive council is holding a meeting to “review the situation” and will issue a statement once it has decided what to do.

Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) secretary-general, Dr Hermen Shastri, was outraged by the ministry’s letter and conditional release, describing it as an act of “high-handedness”.

“They are mixing up religion and policy ... It’s getting worse and worse. They are acting very high-handed. There is no more respect for other religions,” he said, and slammed Putrajaya for treating the Alkitab “like a communist book”.

“We do not accept any such conditions that belittle our religion. We are talking about the holy book here. The government has no right to impose its views of one religion on followers of another,” he told The Malaysian Insider, repeatedly.

“Who gave the order? Why do we have to put ‘Dengan perintah Menteri Dalam Negeri’ on the cover of our holy book?” he demanded, adding that the very act was a “desecration of the holy book”, which contradicted the Federal Constitution’s guarantees on freedom of religion.

Shastri also slammed the de facto law minister, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, for imposing Muslim views on Christianity; and for repeatedly linking the Alkitab row to the Catholic Church’s court case on the right to use “Allah” — the Arabic word for God — in its newspaper.

The man of the cloth said the Alkitab and the “Allah” court case were separate issues; and challenged the federal government to prove the Alkitab had been banned under law.

Shastri said the ministry’s conditions showed that Christianity was “being singled out” as a threat as there were no such conditions imposed on the holy books of other religions, including Islam.

“Imagine if such conditions were imposed on the Al-Quran. I wonder how Muslims worldwide would take it?” he said and reminded the Najib administration about the incident of an American pastor who threatened to burn the Muslim holy book last year, in protest of a mosque being built near New York’s Ground Zero.

Shastri also questioned the Najib administration on its sudden move to impose the conditions requiring that the shipment bear the stamp and serial numbers.

He noted that it was the first time such an order had been given.

The home ministry had released an earlier consignment of 10,000 copies in Sarawak last Christmas Day without imposing conditions.

The Najib administration had made the order yesterday, bowing to pressure from Christian churches and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) politicians.

The Cabinet was set to discuss the issue on Friday but with the seizure of the bibles drawing protest from Christians nationwide, a majority of whom live in Sabah and Sarawak, the federal government was forced to take action ahead of Sarawak polls set to take place next month.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia, which represents 90 per cent of churches in Malaysia, has said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak made a decision to release the Alkitabs but so far, the home ministry, which controls customs, has refused to hand over the bibles.

Nazri said the 30,000 copies of the Alkitab in Sarawak will be allowed into the state.

Christians, who make up close to 10 per cent of Malaysia’s 28 million population, use Bahasa Malaysia in Sabah and Sarawak churches to preach to a multi-ethnic congregation who each have a distinctive tribal language.

But evangelical churches there, such as Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB), have crossed the South China Sea to preach to the growing number of Sarawakians and Sabahans who are settling down in the peninsula after furthering their studies or finding work here.

Yesterday, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala, a Sarawakian Christian, said the government had decided on the release of the Alkitab in line with a 1982 gazette under the Internal Security Act which allows its limited and controlled importation and circulation on condition that the books are stamped: “For Christians Only.”

“Since 1982, with this gazette, there have been no problems in its implementation. As such, taking into account this fact, the government has decided to apply the 1982 gazette and release the bibles accordingly,” the statement said.

Jala said that after a careful and thorough review, the Attorney-General confirmed that the release of the bibles did not prejudice the ongoing court case of the “Allah” issue.

The minister also noted that the Sarawak government had categorically expressed its view that the impounded bibles should be released. Malaysia-Chronicle.... (http://www.george-orwell.org/1984)

---------- Post added at 06:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:22 PM ----------

Wednesday, 16 March 2011 18:14
Najib may U-turn on Malay Bibles in future via Allah court appeal
Written by New Jo-Lyn, Malaysia Chronicle

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If Prime Minister Najib Razak thinks that his surprise move to release the Malay Bibles will boost his popularity among Christians, he may be in for a surprise.

The community is thankful that the books will finally reach the intended destination, but is adamant that they should not have been put through so much hassle and anguish in the first place.

There is also fear that Najib might take advantage of a yet-to-be-heard court appeal against non-Muslims using the word Allah to describe God to renege on his words in the future, especially once the Sarawak state elections were over.

“I hope next time, everything is done in good faith and in all sincerity,” Rev Thomas Philips, president of faith group MCCBCHST, told Malaysia Chronicle.

Najib may use the backdoor

Meanwhile, in a sign that Najib’s ruling Umno party was not about to give up on ‘politicizing’ the issue, the Malaysian Ulama Association (PUM) has insisted that Allah was an exclusive term for Muslims which Christians have no right to use.

The PUM comments raised eyebrows as the crux of the Umno-backed Bible detention was because the word Allah had been used to describe God in the books. Umno has insisted that Allah is exclusive to Malays and Muslims.

PUM president Sheikh Abdul Halim Abdul Kadir admitted that non-Muslims in other countries already used Allah with little or no controversy, but he also reiterated that Muslims in Malaysia had the right to demand exclusivity.

“The issue is that in most countries non-Muslims have used the word Allah but we want to defend Allah because we feel that it should be for Muslims,” Malaysian Insider had reported Abdul Halim as saying.

“The reason being is that Allah cannot be equated with any [other] version or concept of God. It is not an issue of translation. I will still defend this view, even though I agree that Christians should have the right to Bibles being printed in Malay, because Bahasa Malaysia is the national language.”

Neither Allah nor Bahasa Malaysia is exclusive to Malays and Muslims

To other Malaysians, including devout Muslims, the PUM president's words were not logical.

“The statement (from PUM) is quite confusing as the word Allah would surely be contained in the Bible which they released,” PAS vice president Tuan Haji Tuan Man told Malaysia Chronicle.

Najib and Umno have been accused of stoking racial and religious tensions in the country to divide the different ethnic groups and cling to power.

Meanwhile, Pakatan Rakyat leaders have also demanded that Najib, as head of the BN government, apologized to the Christian community for “insulting” them by detaining and confiscating the Bibles.

“The Bibles have been released but the damage is done,” PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

He also warned there was no guarantee the BN would not U-turn and begin confiscating such Bibles again in the future.

“The government has not promised they won’t let it happen again and there is still the law of prohibiting the use of the word Allah,” said Tian. Malaysia-Chronicle.... (http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=9111:no-guarantee-najib-on-malay-bibles-in-future-via-allah-court-appeal&Itemid=2)

[pywong]

If readers have difficulty understanding the double-speak here, kindly refer to UMNO's bible - George Orwell's 1984. (http://www.george-orwell.org/1984)


Friday, 18 March 2011 14:22
Umno and Harussani provoking Malays to create trouble, warns PAS
Written by New Jo-Lyn, Malaysia Chronicle

PAS leaders condemned Perak chief cleric Harussani Zakaria for trying to scare Christians into docility over the Malay Bibles row, accusing him of trying to provoke the Malays into retaliation when there was no justification.

They also denounced for him being a stooge of the Umno-led ruling government.

Harussani had warned that the release of the Bibles could lead to Malay anger. He said that he was “afraid” the community would oppose of the ministry’s decision and create further tension.

“I definitely don’t think it will happen. The Malays are very rational about this and not easily influenced by such an issue. It is bad of him to claim such a thing. It’s as if he’s provoking the Malays to create trouble,”,” said Kuala Krai MP Hatta Ramli told Malaysia Chronicle.

Tensions deliberately stoked to spur Malays against other races

According to Hatta, the Malay-language Bibles have been in the market before and there were no consequences. He blamed the current racial and religious tensions on Prime Minister Najib Razak's government.

Indeed, Malaysia watchers have accused Najib of deliberately stoking racial and religious tensions in order to retain political power. Despite professing a 1Malaysia slogan that he assured was aimed at uniting the races and not at proclaiming supremacy of one race - the Malays - his actions have been the opposite.

While overseas, he has tried to portray a liveral and moderate image, even offering to help the United States battle Islamophobia, but back home he has vowed to ensure that his Malay nationalist party retained power even if it mean "crushed bodies", "lost lives" and "ethnic cleansing".

The Malays form some 55 per cent of the country's 28 million population, the Chinese 26 per cent, Indians about 8 per cent, indigenous people and other races the balance.

Last year, together with his cousin and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, Najib triggered a string of church vandalizations and torchings after he gave the green light for mass demonstrations against a High Court ruling that favoured the Christians.

The court had overturned the Home Ministry's order to ban non-Muslims from using the Allah to describe God. Following huge uproar, Najib had to back pedal and although Hisham appealed the uplifting of the ban, so far the case has not been heard yet.

“In the Quran, it has described the use of Allah in pre-Islam times. Even now in the Middle East, there is no issue of using the word Allah by non-Muslims,” said Hatta.

Christians feel very badly let down

PAS is the second largest Malay-dominated political party after Umno. The Islamist party has taken the opposite view to Umno, pointing to the scores of ancient scripture and advice from top Islamic scholars from all over the world.


"The Allah ban has got nothing to do with Islam. It is an Umno invention for political motives," added Hatta.

Meanwhile, Christian leaders bemoaned the desecration of some 5,100 Malay Bibles. These had been detained by the Home Ministry at the ports and in a bid to resolve the escalating anger of the Christians over the detention, Najib had ordered their release.

However to appease his Umno members, he also ordered that the books be stamped with the words "For Christians Only" and with a serial number. The move made the Christians even more upset than before.

“I feel very badly let down by the government that proclaims support for upholding the principles of our constitution and the fundamental rights under the UN declaration,” chairman of the Centre for Public Policy Studies Ramon Navaratnam told Malaysia Chronicle.

Christians acting as if this is a Christian country

Even within Najib's ruling coalition, the MCA has come out to blast the Home Ministry for its crass actions.

"The Al Kitab (Malay Bible) is a sacred scripture and should be accorded with respect and dignity no different than the scriptures of other religions," MCA central committee member Loh Seng Kok said in a press statement.

But gauging from Harussani's bile, it is clear Najib has no intention to back off completely.

Speculation is already rife that Najib only ordered the release of the Bibles to appease Christians who form 43 per cent of the population in Sarawak and that he would U-turn once the polls were out of the way.


"I am scared. Everything can happen here. People are very unhappy and everything can happen,” Malaysia Insider reported Harussani as saying.


"And like I said before, Islam is the official religion, enshrined in the Federal Constitution. So in Islamic practice, the word ‘Allah’ is for the Muslims. Already they question the Malay ‘special rights’ in the Constitution. We have never said anything about the other religions. We do not stop them from doing anything. They act as if this country is a Christian country." Malaysia-Chronicle.... (http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=9223:umno-and-harussani-provoking-malays-to-create-trouble-warns-pas&Itemid=2)

[pywong]

This sounds like the aggressor telling the victim: Stop struggling. Things will be much easier for everybody if you co-operate.

Hisham: Don’t be ‘unreasonable’ over Alkitab
By Syed Mu’az Syed Putra
March 21, 2011

http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/2011/march/21/bible.jpg
The home ministry’s seal is seen on the cover of a bible in Kuching Port. — file pic
KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has urged Christian groups not to make “unreasonable demands” over the recent conditional release of Malay-language bibles by his ministry.


“I ask that the demands made are reasonable... because if they are unreasonable, we will not solve this, whatever we do,” he told reporters today.

Talks between the Home Ministry and Christians would be more fruitful if both sides refrained from complicating the issue with emotions, Hishammuddin said.

“If it hadn’t been complicated by other considerations, we would have seen progress,” he said, adding that he would not comment further as his ministry was still in discussion with a Christian group, believed to be the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM).

Christian leaders have said they were appalled by the Home Ministry’s decision to stamp the seized bibles with its seal without consent from the importers, saying this “defaced” the holy books.

CFM, which represents 90 per cent of churches nationwide, has advised its members not to retrieve the ministry-endorsed consignment.

The federation has also insisted that Putrajaya immediately drop the conditions imposed for the release of two shipments of bibles totalling 35,000 copies seized from Port Klang and Kuching port.

The ministry had set two conditions to the importers of the consignments to allow the release of the books — that each book is stamped with a serial number and a ministry disclaimer that says “For Christians only”.

The 35,000 Alkitab Bibles are presently still held by the Home Ministry in the two ports as Christian leaders have refused to collect them due to the conditions imposed on their release.

The government’s move to release of the bibles have, however, sparked fresh concerns of reigniting Malay-Muslim anger and fears over non-Muslim use of the word “Allah”, which reached a critical point last year with arson and vandal attacks on several houses of worship.

The Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug of war over the word “Allah”, with the latter group arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds as Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim God.

Christians, however, have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.

The tussle is still trapped in the courts after the ministry won a stay of the 2009 High Court ruling that allowed Catholic weekly The Herald to use “Allah” in its Bahasa Malaysia edition. TheMalaysiaInsider.... (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/hisham-dont-be-unreasonable-over-alkitab/)

[pywong]

Collect your bibles, Christian groups urged
March 22, 2011

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KUALA LUMPUR: Christian groups have been urged to take possession of 35,000 bibles in Bahasa Malaysia, which were impounded in Kuching and Port Klang for their readers.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Idris Jala said although the groups did not accept the stamps and serialisation of the bibles, they should be aware that similar action was also imposed on the Quran.

“The focus should be getting the bibles into the hands of the people who want to read them,” he said in a statement today.


He said that the goverrnment had made arrangement with the help of Christian donors to pay for the cost of all 30,000 impounded bibles in Kuching and 5,100 bibles in Port Klang free of charge.

“The importers can take these bibles at no cost and if the Christian groups do not wish to take the bibles, then the Christian donors have agreed to pay for the cost of bringing in new bibles as replacement and these will be printed or stamped with the words ‘For Christianity,” he said.

Idris said the government had agreed to issue a directive so that future bibles in Bahasa Malaysia could be brought in as long as they have the words “For Christianity” in Arial font size 16 either printed at source or stamped at the receiving port.

“This is a fair and reasonable solution from the government and with the help of Christian donors, all 35,100 are to be released completely free of charge to the importers.

“In addition, by virtue of the directive, there is an assurance from the government that future bibles in Bahasa Malaysia could be imported and released with the words “For Christianity”,” he said.

On March 15, the government gave a directive to release all bibles in Bahasa Malaysia, which were impounded in Port Klang and Kuching.

However, to date the Christian groups, who imported the bibles, have yet to collect them because they did not accept the stamps and serialisation of the bibles.

This resulted in the formation of a special Cabinet committee on the matter headed by the prime minister and made up of the deputy prime minister, several ministers and the attorney-general to discuss the issue and find a fair and amicable solution.

- Bernama FreeMalaysiaToday.... (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/03/22/collect-your-bibles-christian-groups-urged/)

[pywong]

The squeezing didn't work this time. So UMNO will backtrack a bit and wait for the next opportunity to squeeze again. It never stops. This is known as the implementation of the Boiled Frog Syndrome. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog)

They will never stop squeezing until they have total control over the non-Malays. Only one solution: Kick them out in the next elections!

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTqcyBxaVm5pZcSasJWlXBlExn_8ZUkz GJ4kx_lHi00xs22Ywx3kyxLRuxH
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTLShWg3QClvlbnsEjbRBqq5HzNHdha3 8EkIrahHmVQGzaKedUQmMRRRDND
Al Kitab: Gov't softens stand on stamp, serialisation

Mar 22, 11 7:18pm

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The federal government says that it will no longer serialise nor place a large home ministry stamp on the Al Kitab Bibles, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala.

Instead, the government would require the words “For Christianity” in Arial font size 16 to be either printed at source or stamped at the receiving port.

This proposals were made to representatives of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM), other Christian groups and their legal advisors during a meeting on March 18.

Also present at the meeting were Idris and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail.


As for copies of the Al Kitab that are already stamped and serialised, Idris said that if the importer refuses to claim it, Christian donors will pay for new copies to be imported.

“These BM Bibles can either be released in their present state, with stamps and serial numbers.

“Or arrangements can be made to put stickers with the words 'For Christianity' to cover the existing stamps and serial numbers,” he said.

However, copies of the Al Kitab can also be claimed in their present state, or arrangements can be made to put stickers with the words 'For Christianity' to cover the existing stamp.

He also assured that the home ministry director-general will issue a directive to civil servants to ensure there is no misrepresentation of the government order.

“As with all similar directives, failure to comply with this directive will subject the relevant officers to disciplinary action under the general orders,” said Idris.

'Fair and reasonable solution'

He said that the Christian groups requested for time to discuss the proposals and would provide a reply as soon as possible.

"This is a fair and reasonable solution from the government and with the help of Christian donors, all 35,100 copies are to be released completely free of charge at no cost at all to the importers.

“In addition, by virtue of the government directive, there is an assurance from the government that future Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia can be imported and released with the words 'For Christianity',” he said.

For now, Idris said that the government is urging Christian groups to claim copies of the Al Kitab held at Port Klang and Kuching.

“The focus should be on getting the Bibles into the hands of people who want to read them,” he said.

Idris said that he was requested by the government to dialogue with the Christian groups because he was a minister in the prime minister's department and also a Christian.

“More importantly, as I am the only cabinet minister who is not a member of any political party,” he said.

“The government wants this matter to be resolved amicably in a non-partisan manner and in line with the spirit of 1Malaysia.

“The attorney-general's involvement is obviously necessary because we have to ensure that the solution must be in the context of the existing laws of the country.”

He also explained that a special cabinet committee on this matter was also formed comprising the prime minister, deputy prime minister, home minister, unity minister, law minister and religious affairs minister.

The special cabinet committee met on March 17, one day before the meeting with the Christian groups. Malaysiakini. Subscription required. (http://malaysiakini.com/news/159383)

Comments:

malaysiawatch4.blogspot My suggestion for the Christian groups is not to comment further on what they are going to do with this "softening" by the government. Let the Sarawak voters decide based on their own conscience and the manner in which both the ALLAH and Bible issues have developed during the past 2 or 3 years. For all we know those "Christian donors" may even turn out to be "well-wishes" who consider the money well spent to win elections!
42 minutes ago · Report

dood How about this deal: You Umno/BN people release the bibles unconditionally and immediately, and stop defacing them in future. This kind of thing is not open to arm-twisting negotiation, especially with the kind of appalling attitude shown by racists and bigots who hold ministerial positions.
an hour ago · Report

Paul Warren This act,seen to be favouring Christians, so Idris Jala makes the announcement. And the "deal" so far not ratified by the christian leadership, is arrived at after a meeting between the Christian leadership and Idris Jala and The Attorney General representing the UMNO led government. Why none of the UMNO leadership want to front up? When it comes to making a statement that is supposed to reflect ketuanan Melayu or defenders of Islam, the UMNO leadership fronts up. They all want to take credit for taking a hard stand that appears to prop up the Malays/Muslims. To begin with this was a journey that did not need to have been taken. Yet the UMNO leadership recklessly started off the Malays and Muslims of Malaysia on this journey. They got many of them worked up. And when the crux comes, UMNO just lets them all down. Malays/Muslims should see this for what it really is. They were hoodwinked into thinking it is a trip that was full-proof. All because they needed to give meat to
1 hours ago · Report

Proarte Why can' t the government do anything which is theologically correct or rational without creating more controversy? Why can't UMNO offer solutions to the problem it created only after much deliberation and consultation. Why behave like an incorrigible delinquent? If the government is ignorant about Christian matters then it should seek the advice of experts. Yes, the Bible is a Christian publication but the Bible is not 'For Christianity' only. This implies the religion discourages Bhuddists, Hindus, Sikhs , Muslims or even atheists from reading it which is blaspemous. The Bible's message is for ALL of humanity. Muslims too believe that the Torah, Bible and Koran is Allah's message to humanity at various points in history. Does UMNO dare challenge the Koran on this fact? UMNO has been brazen in its racist, demeaning, grossly unfair, criminal and unIslamic modus operandi. UMNO wants to distort Islam and yet claim to be the champion of Islam. UMNO cannot have its cake and eat it.
1 hours ago · Report

Anonymous_4056 Idris Jala don't ever think you have achieved anything fantastic for Malaysian Christians. Your balls is trapped under UMNO's leg and as usual you have to kowtow and beg for mercy. Just let them (UMNO) do what wanted to do to their heartiest content and see God's judgement fall upon their heads. I bet you even Muslims those who really practise Islam righteously will also curse them. They are many good Muslims throughout this nation ok. They have no issue with law abiding peace loving Christians here. Did the christians demonstrate, did they burn or carry pig's head and stomping on it. Shalom to you my Muslim's brethrens.
3 hours ago · Report

Anonymous_4056 There I said so, those idiotic UMNO leaders and please alway remember THOSE IDIOTIC UMNO LEADERS has no business at all to disturb other people faith as long as the nation's law is not broken. It is really too much and unnecessary to hold back the Holy Bible for so long until it smell or almost smell. If his father is still alive Hussein Onn or even his grandfather would have disown him. OK, all those Bibles must be preservered as GE materials to show the East Malaysians how stupid they will become to vote for BN. Will somone let me have a copy with that UNINVITED STAMP OF THE HOME MINISTRY AND THE SERIAL NO. Better still if they stamped on it 'A Threat to The National Security Of Malaysia.
3 hours ago · Report

AKUCINA BN/UMNO have just given me an ORGASM! I wish to return that favor. Read my lips, BN/UMNO, My family and I will vote for Pakatan Rakyat!
4 hours ago · Report

Nazi Hunter "WE WILL NOT MAKE YOU WEAR A LARGE YELLOW STAR OF DAVID, just a small one on your forehead...PROMISE & we will not TATTOO A LARGE SERIAL No on your wrist, just a wee small micro chip under your skin." ...SEE IT'S ALL A MISUNDERSTANDING!". WE ARE A FRIENDLY GOMEN... WE EVEN HAVE SOME of your XTIANS WORKING FOR US... ahem...as running dogs?
5 hours ago · Report

Anonymous_3f4b This is not a sincere gesture by the BN Government but one which is hollow and made with the impending Sarawak State Elections in mind. If there is no elections this bigoted and racist BN Government will just shut the door at the Christians faces. I think the Christians out there can see through the facade of this blinkered Government and do the necessary to ensure that these idiotic actions taken are not repeated again in History. Vote for Change.
5 hours ago · Report

Gerard Samuel Vijayan Too little and too late. Another "sandiwara" from UMNO/BN to cover their own asses just because of the Sarawak elections. Nothing genuine or sincere about this offer from Idris "tak tahu" Jala, an insignificant minister of the Najib regime. Why no apology from the PM or DPM or the other UMNO ultras including the Mufti of Perak who is the chief UMNO spokesman in that state, all this after weeks of Christian bashing? But as Christians, Jesus tells us to "forgive for they do not know what they do". So be it. Forgiveness does not extend to voting for the BN though. As Christ said give what is due to Ceasar, to Ceasar and give what is due to God, to God. Forgiveness because God asks us to forgive and punishment is what BN deserves.
5 hours ago · Report

righteous You think this is the last you will hear of such a case, dream on.Wasalaam.
5 hours ago · Report

NP Sorry!! Sudah terlambat!! My vote goes to opposition!!
6 hours ago · Report

Apapunbolehkah? Brainless people mess up this issue in the first place and now want to soften stand ! Hello too late lah. The people and not only Christians but others as well are Pissed !
6 hours ago · Report

A VOTER I THINK CFM AND THE GOVT DO NOT NEED TO REVERT TO THE GOVT AND SAY AGREE OR DISAGREE. JUST LET THE GOVT DO WHAT THEY PROPOSED AND LET THE VOTERS DECIDE. AFTER ALL THE UMNO GOVT IS PROPOSING THIS STAND JUST BECAUSE OF THE FORTHCOIMING SARAWAK ELECTIONS, NO OTHER REASONS
6 hours ago · Report

4th generation pendatang guess which christian donor will come forward to pay for this booboo? IPP Yeohs are christians, .... hmmm whoelse .....? or yeah Maximus ... but then again he normally receives ....
6 hours ago · Report

Simon Lee 3ed5 Idris Jala, You betrayed your Jesus & sold out the rights of the people of Sabah & Sarawak. Why didn't you also "request" The Koran be stamped for Muslims?! Why didn't you, as a true Christian, demand that Home Minister apologise for insulting the Christians? Why didn't you also demand that others not allowed to corrupt & convert the poor bumiputras in Sabah & Sarawak? Why didn't you as a true Christian & a real bumiputra, demand that you be given equal rights with the Malays? You must be thinking the Bumiputras in Sabah & Sarawak are just plain stupid & still naive to believe you & just accept your stupid "Special Cabinet Commitee" compromising the PM - a Muslim, the DPM - a "i am Malay first & a Muslim first" kampong fella, Home Minister- another Muslim who defaced the Bible, the Law Minister - another Muslim to "look" into this Christian matter?! Don't make a fool of yourself & treat the native Bumiputras as third class citizens in their own POOREST STATE!
6 hours ago · Report

Anonymous I pray CFM will never accept the proposal to stamp the Bible. If can't, then all other Holy Books of different faiths be stamped. That's fair and square; it's then just. God's Word knows no bounds and boundaries. So, CFM, don't play God to compromise.
6 hours ago · Report

Anonymous Just wondering how is the govt ever going to stamp e-Alkitab. What a BN govt. In this age of IT, any Malay or Muslim can hide in their room and hear, read, study, memorise and meditate on ALkitab. And get converted. Vote Pakatan to replace this konon BN govt.
6 hours ago · Report

Onyourtoes This where I can never understand. Why must Idris Jala deal with this? Why? Is it below the dignity of Muslim Ministers to deal with the church group? This problem is created by Muslim dominated government. So why can’t the Muslim Ministers deal with it? Idris also said he is the only Cabinet Minister who does not belong to any political party. So how effective and enduring can his decision be when this country is ruled by political parties, many of them in fact are racist ones. Please don’t hoodwink us; we know this is never the enduring solution. This solution is for the impending Sarawak state election. If the Church group can’t see this, they are nincompoop too.
6 hours ago · Report

survivor imma bee.....i ain't going to read the defiled book. You kinda nut in your head....!!
6 hours ago · Report

wira The importers should demand that the government pay for those Bibles they so defaced.
6 hours ago · Report

Anonymous_3f68 Should have stamped that on PISANGMUDDIN'S A*** log ago !
6 hours ago · Report

Lover Boy Brothers and Sisters, I think the word "For Chistianity" Not for Christian should be acceptable but I would like to ask what is Idris Jala doing. Idris Jala this is not your portfolio, the portfolio belongs to that person who describe the Al-Kitab as the smelly bible because he must have stored in the toilet and the idiot who insisted and misled Malaysian that there was a Cabinet directives in 1987. That idiot must come out to apologise to Malaysian that he had made a mistake, why are you coming out and not him? You mean he is so proud that to apologise is below his dignity ka? Now Idiris , are you that Benevolent Christian who is going to pay for the desecrated Bible? Unless that Kris welding apa nama apologises to all Malaysian, I am not persuaded to cast my vote for BN. So my dear Kelabit Friend Idris Jala, see you this Sunday and in your Sermon, don't bull shit your congregation. We still love you despite your short comings.
6 hours ago · Report

survivor Idris, you are a lousy Christian, not fit to call the name of Jesus. Christian leaders, please do not compromise. If you do that, you are infact telling umno that in future they can defile the book first and then talk later. Or for that matter, they can burn the Church first and then talk later. They may in future even say, Christian can longer celebrate Christmas. Then when Christmas is over, they will say you can now celebrate and then say, oh sorry, we mis-interprete the ruling.This is bolehland, remember. There is nothing outrageous enough that they cannot do. And remember, Sarawakian, this is only to pull the wool over your eyes. When the state election is over, they will be more you expect them to do to stifle the Christian faith in the state. Vote out BN in the Sarawak, deny them the two third majority if you can't kick them out. Please stay united not be succumb to their monies.
7 hours ago · Report

DragonStar Satan’s give way is for the sake of Sabah and Sarawak state election!

[pywong]

These problems will not stop as long as UMNO thinks they can make political capital out of creating such issues. The solution then becomes very clear "Get rid of UMNO!"

http://media1.malaysiakini.com/310/b19e5a41efae001f7c1fcab5832aa2c8.jpg
Bishop flays gov't's reason for stamping 'Al-Kitab'

Terence Netto
Mar 23, 11

Catholic Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing said today the fear of spawning confusion among followers of one religion is no reason to prevent adherents of another faith from legitimate practice of their own.

Speaking to Malaysiakini in his capacity as bishop of the Malacca-Johor diocese, Paul Tan, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, said that such caveats were "unreasonable constraints on the freedom of religion guaranteed in the federal constitution."

The prelate was responding to reports that Selangor mufti Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid had joined his Perak counterpart, Harussani Zakaria, in opposing the release of 'Al-Kitab', 35,000 copies of which have been impounded at the ports in Kuching and Port Klang.

The 'Al-Kitab', which is the Indonesian version of the Christian Bible, is banned in Malaysia because of its use of 'Allah' as the term for God.

Christians in Sabah and Sarawak have been using 'Allah' as the term for God for the better part of eight decades during which their study of scriptural texts was based on the 'Al-Kitab', which freely uses the term.

Recourse to the 'Al-Kitab' became problematic on the peninsula when the government in 1986 confined the use of theological terms, such as 'Allah', to Muslims only.

Tacitly, Sabah and Sarawak Christians were exempted from this stricture but when Christians on the peninsula, who had always chafed at the restriction, posed a legal challenge to the ban, the High Court in late 2009 ruled in their favour.

"The High Court decision has rendered nugatory the 1986 government ban on the use of the term and though a stay has been granted, the dissemination of scripture among the faithful cannot be held hostage to the vagaries of the judicial process," opined Bishop Paul.

"That the term has never been the sole property of Muslims is another imperative for the unrestricted dissemination of the 'Al-Kitab'."

False argument

Further, Bishop Paul argued there are at least three surah in the Quran that the "People of the Book", among whom Christians are included, "worship the one true Allah".

"To add to the false argument for exclusivity the one about Christian use of 'Allah' as liable to cause confusion among Muslims would be akin to gilding the lily and then shredding it," he asserted.

"These arguments in their totality infringe Christian Malaysians' constitutionally guaranteed freedom to practise their religion and insult the intelligence of the Muslim believer.

"When complication becomes this excessive, I would prayerfully advise that we opt for a final simplicity: let's plump for the constitutionally guaranteed freedom to practice one's faith, unfettered by unsustainable restriction and self-demeaning fear." Malaysiakini. Subscription required. (http://malaysiakini.com/news/159404)

[pywong]

Their arrogance is breath-taking. There is absolutely no sense of contriteness over their act of desecration of the Bible. There is only one message they understand "Sack them!"

Christians should not make fools of themselves over Alkitab, says Sarawak BN leader
By Shannon Teoh
March 24, 2011

http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/2011/march/10/bible-march10.jpg
PETALING JAYA, March 23 — A Sarawak deputy federal minister said tonight that Christians in the state should not “make fools of themselves” as the 30,000 Malay language bibles detained in Kuching have already been released.

Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum said that if Christians “come out and say that we want the bibles, they will get it.”


“If they want to make fools of themselves, we will not respond,” the deputy minister for information communication and culture said of a series of prayer rallies that Sarawak Christians have planned, beginning tonight.

The Sarawak Ministers Fellowship said that it expects 2,000 to gather tonight despite the government having ordered the release of the Alkitab that were seized two years ago.

With Sarawak heading to the polls on April 16, the issue is expected to weigh heavily on the minds of Christians in Sarawak, who make up nearly half of the state’s population.

The ongoing row over the Alkitab — as the Malay-language bibles are called here — started in January and came to a head last week after the home ministry stamped the two separate shipments with its official seal before ordering their release.

The Christian importers have denounced the Najib administration for the act, which they say is a desecration of their holy book.

Yesterday, the government backed down and offered to paste over the marked Alkitab with labels that simply read “For Christianity”.

The Parti Rakyat Sarawak vice president, who said he was a Catholic himself, said Christians were supposed to be forgiving and that the bibles should not be an issue for them in next month’s elections.

BN held 63 of the 71 seats in the Sarawak state assembly which was dissolved on Monday.

The opposition hopes to make gains on the back of the bible issue as well as allegations of corruption against Chief Minister Ran Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. TheMalaysiaInsider.... (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/christians-should-not-make-fools-of-themselves-over-alkitab-says-sarawak-bn-leader/)

[pywong]

Al-Kitab a weighty issue in Sarawak
Stephanie Sta Maria | March 24, 2011

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/sarawak-alkitab-1.jpg
But how heavy Al-Kitab will weigh on the Christian minds may be reflected on their ballot papers.
FEATURE

Pastor Melai Belingau’s voice was low but steely as he reflected on the first religious controversy to crash upon Sarawak shores. But by now his chagrin had moved beyond the stamping of the 30,000 Al-Kitab copies and was levelled at the Christians instead.

“The ordinary Christians are unaffected by this matter because they don’t understand it nor do they seek to understand it,” said the Sidang Injil Borneo pastor. “But as leaders we can’t turn the other cheek because if we compromise today, who knows what will surface tomorrow.”

For now the face of tomorrow is that of the 10th Sarawak state election in April where compromises are bound to be required. Yet religion could come between many such invisible handshakes. And if this happens, it will make history in a state where religious tolerance is a practice rather than a privilege.

Racial and religious tensions are unfamiliar terrain for East Malaysians, and they have watched in close and quiet bewilderment as these tensions crackled in the Peninsula over the past year. Three weeks ago it was their turn to grapple with the fine line between religion and politics.

Tens of thousands of Al-Kitab copies were released after being impounded for almost 18 months at the Kuching Port. Christian joy was fleeting though when the Home Ministry ordered the Malay-language bibles stamped with the words “For Christians Only” and marked with serial numbers.

The Christian leadership in Sarawak swiftly condemned these restrictions but the true weight of the Al-Kitab issue will only be known when Sarawakians go to the polls on April 16. And herein lies the root of Belingau’s private distress.

Christians account for 43% of Sarawak’s 2.4 million population. A united stand against the government’s heavy-handed approach to their religion could well see a massive vote swing favouring the opposition. Yet this may not happen.

“I’m worried about the ignorance in the rural areas,” Belingau confessed. “The Dayaks, in particular, are not well-informed. They only fight once they are victimised but the critical time is now.”

He will therefore be heartened to learn that Dayak social activist, Dr John Brian Anthony, has more faith in his community.

Shifting stance

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/John-Brian-Anthony.jpg

Anthony pointed out that the Sibu by-election last May revolved around the “Allah” issue and despite Barisan Nasional’s (BN) generous offers to fund the refurbishments of churches in Sabah, it wounded up losing the seat.

“The Al-Kitab issue has made Sarawak churches very angry,” he stated. “The Dayaks take religion very seriously and this recent issue has made them more inclined to support the opposition.”

“For the Dayaks this is the last straw after being marginalised in the civil service and losing their land. The parts are starting to fall into place to create a picture of a colonised Sarawak.”

Anthony, who helms the blog Dayak Baru, claimed that BN support has steadily decreased among the 95% of Dayaks in his village of Kemena. A mark of this change, he observed, lay in the shifting stance of the longhouse heads.

“They are always known to be fence-sitters but lately they have hinted at their support for the opposition,” he said. “The young educated Dayaks have been pressuring them for the past six years to look in a different direction and they are finally doing it.”

“In this past year, religion has taken root in politics with PKR functions in non-Muslim areas beginning with a prayer. And this is because PKR Sarawak doesn’t have the Muslim brand like it does in Peninsular Malaysia.”

Another social activist, who only wanted to be known as Peng, noted that the startlingly vocal reaction by Christian groups was indication enough of BN’s precarious position in Sarawak.

“Christians in Sawarak are normally conservative and reluctant to rock the government boat,” he explained. “But the Al-Kitab issue has prompted strong statements from the community’s top leadership. I don’t remember them ever publicly taking the government to task over an issue.”

Peng also warned of the political clout among the indigenous people particularly that of the Kelabits. Despite being a minority tribe, they possess strong political influence and good government connections (being former and current civil servants).

“The most obvious flexing of these political muscles are the statements made by (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department) Idris Jala supporting the release of the Al-Kitab,” Peng pointed out. “Jala is a Kelabit himself and the tribe is using him as a link to the federal government.”

Daring approach

But Belingau is far from encouraged by John and Peng’s words. He still believes that the wool must be snatched from over the eyes of Christians in rural areas.

“They see voting the opposition as biting the hand that feeds them,” he said. “But what they don’t see is that the hand is intentionally keeping them hungry so that they will always be grateful to be fed.”

Belingau has thus opted for a more daring approach – he now laces his sermons in church with a dash of political flavour.

“I tell my congregation that the way this country is run has a direct impact on their lives,” he said. “First was the Allah issue and now this. Before long the government will be deciding what we should and shouldn’t believe in.”

“The problem is the separation between theology and politics. Politics is seen as a dirty word when it is actually something that people should understand because it involves them. And because of this separation, our theology isn’t developed enough for Christians to state their stand on national issues.”

In a move to expedite this understanding in light of the looming polls, Belingau has dispatched evangelists to reach out to Christians in remote areas. His efforts may be applauded by some while others may view it as an overreaction to a non-issue.

Francis Sia, the leader of the Movement for Change Sarawak (MoCS), is among the latter. According to him, religious issues, no matter how controversial, will take a back seat to corruption and abuse of power in Sarawak.

“I have attended various ceramahs and the people are not interested in debating the Al-Kitab issue,” he said. “It will have little bearing on votes and I strongly advise the opposition not to include religion in its campaign because Sarawakians will not appreciate a ruckus over a non-issue.”

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp242/tindakmalaysia/politics/AllahBibleIssuerecord240311.jpg FreeMalaysiaToday.... (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/03/24/al-kitab-a-weighty-issue-in-sarawak/)

[pywong]

Follow the interests. It is in UMNO's interest to keep the people divided, to wear them down progressively to make it easier to subjugate them. Keep them busy trying to navigate the bureaucratic maze so that they don't have time to think, especially about throwing out the Ruling Party. These are all the standard tools of psychological warfare as explained in the Rat Race System. (http://www.tindakmalaysia.com/showthread.php/574-THE-RAT-RACE-PARTS-I-TO-III)

Umno’s tangle over “Allah”

By Jacqueline Ann Surin | 21 March 2011 | Read [6] Comments | Print This Post

Patience wearing thin…


“Each time, tedious steps had to be taken to secure their release. It would appear as if the authorities are waging a continuous, surreptitious and systematic programme against Christians in Malaysia to deny them access to the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia. Malaysian Christians, many of whom have grown up with Bahasa Malaysia as their principal medium of communication as a result of the government’s education policies, must have access to Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia in order to read, comprehend and practise their faith.”


http://www.thenutgraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Bishop-Ng-Moon-Hing-wikicommons-edmundwoods-435x580.jpg
Bishop Ng ( © edmundwoods | Wiki Commons)

Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) chairperson Bishop Ng Moon Hing in a 10 March 2011 press statement. The CFM, an umbrella body for different Christian churches and organisations, revealed that 30,000 copies of Perjanjian Baru, Mazmur dan Amsal or the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs were being withheld at Kuching Port in Sarawak. This was despite the Barisan Nasioanal (BN) government’s assurance that the Malay-language Bible would be freely available, at least in Sabah and Sarawak.

CFM said that since March 2009, all attempts to import the Malay-language Bible, known as the Alkitab, whether through Port Klang or Kuching Port, have been thwarted. It said a previous consignment of 5,000 Alkitab copies, imported in March 2009, was still being held by the Home Ministry in Port Klang. Ng said despite raising the matter with the prime minister, who reportedly agreed to release the copies, the relevant authorities did nothing to heed the prime minister’s decision. (Source:Group: PM consented to BM Bibles, Malaysiakini, 10 March 2011)


“Enough is enough. We have had our fill of the hypocritical gap between assurances of our freedom of religion and the reality of their restriction.”

Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing, speaking as the titular head of the Malacca-Johor diocese in condemning the impoundment of the bibles. Tan, who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, said the government’s action was a “flagrant example of the hypocrisy of people who treat the 1Malaysia concept as a vote-winning slogan rather than as a platform on which to unify the people.” (Source: Catholic bishop rails against impoundment of Bibles, Malaysiakini, 14 March 2011)


“No religious community will ever want to suffer the indignity of having its sacred scriptures banned and prohibited as though it is some seditious material or a contraband product considered immoral.”

“That this has done repeatedly over so many years is an affront and insult to the religious community concerned and raises very serious questions about the status of religious freedom and respect for other religions in our country.”

http://www.thenutgraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Elizabeth-Wong-150x150.jpg
Elizabeth Wong

PKR exco member Elizabeth Wong in calling, on behalf of her party, for the immediate release of the holy books and an assurance that the incident would not recur. At the end of 2010, the Home Ministry also seized 10,000 copies of the Bible but eventually released them after protests from Christian leaders. (Source: Zaid: Why let opposition capitalise on Bible issue?, Malaysiakini, 12 March 2011)


“As the Bible is the holy book of the Christians, due respect should be given to it by consulting the relevant Christian representative organs before any external text is inserted into the Bibles.”

Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM), which imported the bibles, in revealing that the 5,000 Malay-language bibles that have been held back at Port Klang for two years have been stamped with a Home Ministry notice without the importer’s consent. According to the society, the ministry had agreed in a 22 Dec 2005 letter that the cross and the words “Penerbitan Kristian” would be engraved onto the bible’s cover by Christians themselves.

Instead, the society said the ministry printed spaces for serial numbers into the bibles and the words “Al Kitab Berita Baik ini untuk kegunaan penganut agama Kristian sahaja”. An urgent letter has been faxed to the ministry urging for the terms of the bibles’ release to be negotiated so as not to “violate the dignity of the holy books”. Meanwhile, church leaders have advised their consignee not to collect the 30,000 bibles being held in Kuching because they want further clarification over the ministry’s two conditions for the bibles’ release. (Source: BM Bibles ‘defaced’, decry importers, Malaysiakini, 16 March 2011)


“The Christian community in Malaysia has always acted in good faith and with great patience to find amicable solutions without compromising our fundamental beliefs. But that good faith has not been reciprocated by the Government. It is the Government that has moved the ‘goal posts’ over the years through a systematic imposition of unreasonable conditions and restrictions.

“We have never agreed to any wording to be endorsed on Bibles to say that it is only for Christians. The 1982 order issued under the Internal Security Act 1960 did not state that any form of words had to be endorsed on any copy of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia.

“The latest letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs dated 15 March 2011 is therefore a set of new conditions imposed on the release of the impounded Bibles which is wholly unacceptable to us. We will never accede to any desecration of the Bible since the Word of God to us is sacred.”

CFM’s Bishop Ng in expressing the Christian community’s deep hurt at the government’s desecration of the Bible. CFM also rejected the government’s claim that the Malay-language bible was a threat to national interest and security, and hence should be treated as a subversive publication. He confirmed that the consignee would not collect the bibles that had been stamped by the ministry. (Source: CFM Media Statement – Holy Scriptures Desecrated, 17 March 2011)


“KDN must remove the two degrading conditions immediately and apologise to Christians and all Malaysians for such seditious actions which clearly have incited distress and disharmony among God-fearing Malaysians irrespective of creed.”

http://www.thenutgraph.com/user_uploads/images/2008/09/24/FEATURE_YenYen_LohSengKok.jpg
Loh Seng Kok

MCA central committee and presidential council member Loh Seng Kok in a 17 March 2011 statement decrying the Home Ministry’s two conditions as “totally unreasonable”. He added that the ministry’s “high-handedness” betrayed the goodwill that was the aim of the bibles’ release. In a harsh rebuke, the MCA said the bureaucrats who violated the Alkitab suffer from the four syndromes which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak warned Barisan Nasional about — “delusion, amnesia, inertia and arrogance”. Other political leaders have also called for the government to release the bibles without condition. (Source: KDN Must Not Religious Profile Al-Kitab As High Risk Terrorist Object, Malaysian Mirror, 17 March 2011)

BN government contradicts itself…

“
It is not a ministerial regulation, but the administration is required to adhere to cabinet decisions.”

“We also cannot take any action (to release them) because our court case with the Catholic publication Herald is still pending. So any action will mean sub judice (contempt of court). We will just have to wait for the decision of the Court of Appeal.”

The Home Ministry’s Publications Control and Quranic Text Division secretary Zaitun Ab Samad in explaining that the cabinet did not make a decision nor did it give permission to the ministry to release the 5,000 copies of the Alkitab held in Port Klang. She reiterated that it was the cabinet who in May 1986 issued a directive banning non-Muslims from using the terms “Allah“, “Solat”, “Kiblat” and “Kaabah”.

She said the government had also sent several notices to the importer to collect the 5,000 copies but to no avail. She added that the Customs Department could just destroy the bibles “but we also want to give them chance lah”.

In December 2008, the High Court, in a landmark ruling, lifted the government’s ban against the Catholic church from using “Allah” in its weekly publication, Herald. However, the government filed an appeal against the ruling in January 2009 and the case remains pending in court. (Source: Bible ban based on 1986 cabinet decision, Malaysiakini, 11 March 2011)


“The appeal has yet to be heard by the court to resolve the bigger issue of content, one way or the other.”

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein in explaining why the bibles were being withheld. Hishammuddin said the government was seeking the attorney-general’s advice on the matter because of the government’s pending appeal against the High Court ruling to lift the ban over the use of “Allah’ by the Catholic Herald. Hishammuddin stressed that the ministry would always act based on the law. (Source: Hisham: Issue of impounded Bibles being resolved amicably, The Star, 14 March 2011)


“… the government has decided to apply the 1982 gazette and release the Bibles accordingly.”

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Idris Jala (source: pemandu.gov.my)

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala in a 16 March 2011 statement that announced the government’s decision to release the imported bibles that were being held at Port Klang and Kuching Port. He said the government’s about-turn decision was consistent with the 1982 gazette under the Internal Security Act which allowed limited and controlled importation and circulation of Malay-language bibles which must be stamped “For Christians Only.” He noted that the Sarawak government had said it wanted the bibles released. Sarawak is facing an impending election in which the Barisan Nasional government is expected to face some challenge.

Idris, a Christian from Sarawak, added that the attorney-general confirmed that the bibles’ release would not prejudice the pending court appeal. He asserted that the government was committed to amicably resolving any inter-faith issue. (Source: Govt agrees to release impounded Malay Bibles, Bernama as quoted in MYSinChew.com, 16 March 2011)


“…we would be breaking the law if we do it now.”

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Nazri Aziz

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz in declaring that it was alright to immediately release the 30,000 Malay-language bibles in Kuching, but not so the bibles in Port Klang. The de facto law minister said there was no enactment in Sarawak against the use of “Allah” by non-Muslims but there was in Selangor and the other states in the peninsula, except for Penang and the federal territories. These ten states enforce the Control and Restriction of the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religions Enactment which prohibits either the verbal or printed use of “Allah” by non-Muslims.

However, Nazri did not discount the possibility that the bibles in Port Klang could be handed over if they were only “in transit” to areas where they were not deemed illegal. Nazri admitted that the Sarawak authorities should not have withheld the 30,000 copies of the Malay-language bibles, adding that he too was in the dark over their actions since Sarawak did not have the same enactment. (Source: Despite Cabinet order, Nazri says Klang BM bibles subjudice, Malaysian Insider, 16 March 2011)

Hypocrisy exposed…


“In Sarawak, we have never faced such controversies before. In this state, we have mosques and churches built side by side. In our coffee shops, we have Chinese and Malay food sellers operating next to each other. We don’t have any problem with race or religion.”

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan, who is also SUPP president, said the state government could not understand the rationale behind the treatment of the Bible and why the Bahasa Malaysia version could not be brought into the country. Other political leaders from MCA, Gerakan, PPP, DAP, PKR and Kita also called on the government to release the bibles. (Source: Home Ministry urged to release Bibles, The Star, 13 March 2011)


“This is hypocritical of us. We want everybody to use the common language of Bahasa Malaysia but are not willing to allow it when it comes to practising one’s religion.”

Kita president Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, adding that Muslims should “not appear to be so weak in our own faith that we cannot even let people who practise other religions do so in their own language.” He said that by prolonging the issue over “Allah”, the government was providing the Opposition with ammunition when the issue could be settled easily. “Isn’t this already guaranteed in our constitution?” the former Umno and PKR member asked. (Source: Zaid: Why let opposition capitalise on Bible issue?, Malaysiakini, 12 March 2011)


“Every Malaysian has the right to practise his religion as guaranteed and enshrined in the Federal Constitution. In Sabah and Sarawak, the use of Bahasa Malaysia in the practice of Christianity has long been a common tradition.”

http://www.thenutgraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Chua-Soi-Lek-02-150x150.jpg
Chua Soi Lek (Pic courtesy of MCA)

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek who also suggested that the Malay-language bibles be printed locally by Home Ministry-sanctioned printing houses instead of being imported from Indonesia. Later, in welcoming the government’s decision to release the bibles, he pointed out that since Bahasa Malaysia was a medium of instruction, more Christians would be using Malay to read the Bible. (Source: Better if Bibles in Bahasa are produced here under strict control, says MCA chief, The Star, 12 March 2011)


“Why is it so difficult to claim back the bibles? Why does the matter now have to be referred to the Attorney-General? They (the Government) are just throwing the ball around.”

DAP Member of Parliament Tony Pua revealing in Parliament that Hishammuddin’s position was inconsistent. Pua said that in a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat on 7 June 2010, Hishammuddin had already declared that the bibles’ importers were notified that the holy books would be released to them. (Source: Dompok optimistic Najib will find solution to Bible row, The Star, 15 March 2011)

Apparently, a trivial matter to the Home Minister…


“(They were stamped) based on amalan (the standard practice) before…(like) even during (former premiers) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) and Pak Lah’s (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s) time. There was no intention to deface the Bible… [B]we will not entertain this kind of talk.”

“It is not a real big issue to me… we have engaged (BSM) but you can only engage with people who want to engage, and resolve issues with people who want them to be resolved.”

Hishammuddin, at a press conference in Parliament on 17 March 2011. He claimed the issue was revived in time for the Sarawak elections, similar to during the Sibu by-election when it was alleged that bibles had been destroyed. (Source: Home minister defends stamp on Al-Kitab, Malaysiakini, 17 March 2011) The Nut Graph.... (http://www.thenutgraph.com/umnos-tangle-over-“allah”/)

[pywong]

When pushed too hard, even a worm will turn.

Massive turnout at Kuching prayer rally
Stephanie Sta Maria | March 24, 2011

Christians in Sarawak send a powerful message to the government at a massive prayer rally in Kuching.

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/prayer-rally-300x224.jpg

KUCHING: Christians in Sarawak sent out a powerful message to the government when thousands of them turned up at a prayer rally on religious freedom here last night.

Nearly 3,000 Christians packed the Christian Accumenical Worship Centre to pray and listen to their leaders speak on the controversial Al-Kitab issue.

The rally was organised by the Sarawak Ministers Fellowship (SMF), which is an alliance of Sarawak churches including the Kuching Ministers Fellowship, Miri Pastors Fellowship, Sibu Pastors Fellowship, Bintulu Pastors Fellowship and Gempuru Besai Raban Jaku Iban Malaysia.

The rally is the first of its kind in Sarawak and also the first time that the normally conservative Christian community has publicly voiced its unhappiness with the government. Similar rallies will be held throughout Sarawak at later dates.

A SMF spokesman said that the massive turnout had even taken them by surprise as they only expected 2,000 at the most.

“The rally was scheduled to start at 8pm but people were already queuing to get in by 7.30pm,” he told FMT. “The gathering was bigger than any political ceramah and is the clearest indication yet of our unhappiness over the handling of the Al-Kitab issue.”

“The Christians of Sarawak are rising up for the first time to confront an issue which has deeply affected them. We have been very quiet all this while but enough is enough and we want to send this message to those in the corridors of power.”

The rally was led by leaders of all the churches under the SMF umbrella and held in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin. Two-thirds of the leaders are Dayaks and there was a strong native presence in the crowd.

The SMF spokesman said that the rally had not come under any threat from the authorities and attributed this to the practice of religious tolerance in East Malaysia.

“A few state opposition leaders also attended the rally although SMF hadn’t invited them as we didn’t want to be associated with politics,” he said. “But I didn’t see any BN faces in the crowd.”

Among the Pakatan Rakyat leaders were Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian , Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong.

‘A terrible thing to say’

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/rally-banner-300x224.jpg

When contacted, Yong confirmed that she had not received an invitation from SMF but from her fellow Christian friends.

“God has showed His way of speech through the people last night,” she said. “The Christian community has felt the threat to their religious freedom and cannot accept God’s word being controlled by the law of the land.”

Meawhile, Deputy Information and Culture Minister Joseph Salang Gandum came under fire for dismissing the rally as “people making fools of themselves”.

Yong said that his statement reflected BN’s continuing ignorance of the issue faced by the Christian community and his disrespect of the Christians in Sarawak.

SMF called Salang’s statement “a terrible thing to say” and lambasted him for not showing appropriate concern for the people’s voice.

“Actually, even if he did we would not take him seriously because we know what BN is really up to,” its spokesman said.

SMF yesterday demanded the unconditional release of 35,000 copies of the Al-Kitab at the Kuching Port as well as unrestricted passage of future shipments.

Last week, the home ministry had ordered the release of the Al-Kitab in Sarawak on the condition that it be stamped with the words “For Christians Only” and marked with a serial number.

Despite a volley of protest from the Christian community, the bibles were stamped without prior consultation with any of the Christian leadership in Malaysia. FreeMalaysiaToday.... (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/03/24/massive-turnout-at-kuching-prayer-rally/)

[pywong]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Martin_Niemöller.jpg
Friedrich Gustav Emil Martin Niemöller (14 January 1892 – 6 March 1984) was a Protestant pastor and social activist.


When the Nazis came for the communists, UMNO: Done!
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats, UMNO: Done!
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists, UMNO: Done!
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews, UMNO: Ongoing!
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me, UMNO: You are next!
there was no one left to speak out. wikiquote. (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Martin_Niemöller)

[pywong]

Who next after Christians, questions non-Muslim interfaith council
By Debra Chong
March 25, 2011

http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/mugshots/najibrazak400px-1.jpg
The Najib administration has been criticised for what many view as high-handed tactics.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — A fever has broken out over Putrajaya’s handling of the Alkitab row that appears to have split multicultural Malaysia into two distinct camps — Muslim and non-Muslim — as the nation readies for crucial polls in Sarawak, its biggest Christian state.


The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) issued a strongly worded statement today accusing the Najib administration of riding roughshod over religions other than Islam when it imposed conditions for the release of 35,000 Malay bibles seized from Port Klang and Kuching.

“This means that the Alkitab (Bahasa Malaysia version) is now considered a restricted item and ‘the Word of God’ has been made subject to the control of man,” it said, citing the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) in the latter’s previous attempt to free the bibles.

CFM is the umbrella body that represents over 90 per cent of churches here.

In a series of news statements that started earlier this month, the Christian organisation denounced the Najib administration for defacing its holy books with the home ministry’s official seal, an act it said amounted to desecration.

“Does our current prime minister wield any authority? And if he does not, who does?” the interfaith council demanded of Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“We also vehemently oppose the present line of action being pursued,” it said in solidarity with the Christian community.

About one in 10 Malaysians is Christian.

The MCCBCHST said the authorities seemed to want Malaysians to believe that the Alkitab conflict is solely a tussle between two creeds, Islam and Christianity; and affects only Muslims and Christians.

“After the Christians have been ‘fixed’, who next?” the MCCBCHST questioned.

The council — which represents five out of the country’s six main creeds — reminded the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition of its founder’s words uttered shortly after Independence in 1957.

“Let freedom be secured for all the law-abiding people. There shall be freedom of worship, freedom of speech, freedom from want, freedom of association, freedom of assembly and freedom of movement,” it said, citing first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.

“The political leaders definitely do not have a finger on the pulse of the nation. They are definitely wrong in what they are doing,” it added, in a thinly veiled dig at Najib’s 1 Malaysia slogan aimed at uniting the different communities.

The MCCBCHST further accused Islamic leaders of not knowing their own religion despite dipping their fingers into the controversy.

“In the face of what has been alluded to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the narrative about ‘The Promise to St Catherine’, it is highly suspect that the Islamic high officials in our country do not even know their own religion!” it said.

Prophet Muhammad was said to have made a promise to a delegation of monks from the monastery near Mount Sinai over 1,400 years ago that Muslims will always protect Christians and their way of worship.

An English translation of the promise as published in the Islamic web site, Muslim.net, can be read here.

The Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug-of-war over the word “Allah”, with the latter group arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds that Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim God.

Christians, however, have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, for centuries in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.

The tussle is still trapped in the courts after the ministry won a stay of the 2009 High Court ruling that allowed Catholic weekly The Herald to use “Allah” in its Bahasa Malaysia section.

The ongoing bible row started in January and came to a head last week after the home ministry stamped the two separate shipments with its official seal before ordering their release.

The Christian importers have denounced the Najib administration for the act, which they say is a desecration of their holy book.

Two days ago, the government backed down and offered to paste over the marked Alkitab with labels that simply read “For Christianity”.

In a media statement to national news agency, Bernama, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala said Christian donors have also volunteered to ship in a new replacement consignment so long as the importers agree to have the same words “For Christianity” stamped on their covers in font type Arial size 16.

“No other words or serial numbers will be stamped on the bibles,” Jala added.

CFM is pondering accepting Putrajaya’s offer and has said will give its decision after consulting with all Christian leaders next week.

With Sarawakians going to the polls on April 16, the twin issues are expected to weigh on the minds of Christians who make up close to half of the hornbill state’s total population. TheMalaysiaInsider.... (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/who-next-after-christians-questions-non-muslim-interfaith-council)

[pywong]

BM bibles: Christian group demands apology
March 26, 2011

The warning to the government is clear: If our demands are ignored, it could have serious repercussion in the next general election.

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Christians-lodge-police-report-March-26-300x225.jpg

PETALING JAYA: The Coalition of Malaysian Christians (COMC) today urged the government to apologise to the Christians in the country over the recent episode of impounding and stamping of 35,100 Bahasa Malaysia bibles.

The coalition said the government’s action was a gross travesty of religious freedom as enshrined in the federal constitution.

Apart from the apology, COMC urged the government to return the Malays bibles known as Alkitab to the publisher and replace them with new Alkitab.


The coalition also wanted assurances that:

no Malay bibles are destroyed or further defaced;

the government bears all costs and gives written assurance that such desecration will never happen again;

the home ministry will not act on its own without due consultation with the relevant Christian representative organizations;

due respect is given to the Alkitab by consulting the relevant Christian representative organizations before any external text is inserted in the bible; and

30,000 Malay bibles worth RM78,000 imported by the Sarawak branch of global Christian group, The Gideons, be unconditionally released from Kuching port.

COMC spokesman Ronnie Klassen outlined these demands after lodging a police report against the government at the Petaling Jaya Section 8 police station today.

Serious repercussion warned

Klassen, a former PKR man, explained that the police report was lodged to demand for a thorough investigation into the said episode.

“We do not accept conditions that belittle the Christian faith and religion. We will not accept Muslim views on Christianity and its practice and matters of faith as normative, or link the Alkitab row to the Catholic Church’s court case on the right to use ‘Allah’,” he said.

“The Alkitab and the Allah court case are separate issues; and the federal government has no right to ban the Alkitab under the law. Such developments as Christianity being singled out as a threat is unacceptable, as there are no such conditions imposed on the holy books of other religions,” he added.

Klassen said that it was important for the government to pay attention to the voices coming from the Christian community.

“If the government continues to ignore our demands, it would then not just reflect badly on the government, but also could have serious repercussion in the next general election,” he warned.

He was accompanied by some 70 Christians, including some senior priests and pastors from churches of various Christian denominations, including Father Simon Lebrooy of the St Francis Xavier Church and Father Philip Muthu of the Assumption Church Parish, Petaling Jaya. FreeMalaysiaToday.... (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/03/26/bm-bibles-christian-group-demands-apology/)

[pywong]

As a public service, we are going to highlight in bold italics the double-speak (http://www.george-orwell.org/1984) in the article below. Notice how they are jumping in to threaten the victim with their bullying tactics. Their capacity to state bare-faced lies in the face of facts is incredible.

Their strategy: Create a Muslim/Christian row.

Ooooo, I am so scared.

Christians inviting trouble over Alkitab row, say Muslim NGOs
UPDATED @ 05:01:42 PM 28-03-2011
By Debra Chong
March 28, 2011

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Pembela warned that Muslims would not keep silent in the row. — file pic


Why no police?

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — Christians are inviting trouble with their provocative and extremist stand over resolving the impounding of Malay Bibles, an umbrella body representing 19 Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) said today.


The group, which calls itself the Islamic Defenders Organisation (Pembela), accused Malaysia’s minority Christian community of deliberately hurting the feelings of the majority Muslim community with its police reports and harsh statements in its attempt to resolve the ongoing Alkitab row, as the controversy has come to be known.

In its statement today, Pembela demanded that the Christian groups involved in the row return to the mutual respect among religious followers based on the Federal Constitution, legal provision and various other official decisions.

It warned that the “pressure and provocation will cause national political leaders to feel weak and on the losing end and will give in to whatever is asked for by the extremist groups without taking into account the position of Islam in the constitution, history and culture; or provocation and continued breach against feelings and sensitivities of Muslims will cause tension and invite reaction from Muslim who are hard to control by anyone.”

“We want to ask: How far do they want to provoke and manipulate this issue? Do they not realise that their actions are very hurtful to Muslims?” Pembela demanded of the Christians involved in the import of the Malay bibles.

http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/2011/march/28/tabernacle.jpg
Muslim outrage over the “Allah” ruling had led to arson attacks.
It noted that Putrajaya’s initial decision had showed a compromise that had exceeded those provisions.

“What more when we take into account the printing and distribution of our own Al-Quran is controlled by the Home Ministry (KDN),” it said, and echoed Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who had called the stamping and serialisation of the Malay bibles an “ordinary procedure”.

“That is why the hard stance and stubbornness of these Christians towards the government’s initial decision is very disappointing,” it said.

Pembela slammed the bible importers for making a wild and irresponsible accusation when the latter group claimed the Christian holy books had been desecrated.

The Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) and the Sarawak branch of global Christian group, The Gideons, had caused a public outcry after receiving letters from the Home Ministry’s Publication Control and Al-Quran Text division informing them of a conditional release of their shipments.

BSM had its 5,100 shipment seized from Port Klang in March 2009, while the 30,000 cargo meant for the Malay-speaking Christian Bumiputera market in Sarawak — Malaysia’s biggest Christian state — was seized two months ago.

According to Christian clerics in Sarawak, nearly half the state’s population is Christian.

The group, led by the Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) and Malaysian Muslim Lawyers’ Society (PPMM), warned that the situation, if left unresolved, will likely lead to one of two possibilities.

“Firstly, the pressure and continuing provocation will cause national political leaders to feel weak and on the losing end and give in to whatever is asked for by the extremist groups without taking into account the position of Islam in the constitution, history and culture,” Pembela said.

http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/2011/march/28/jala.jpg
Jala should not be the government frontman on this issue, the NGO said.
It added that the Christians’ continued action to provoke Muslim sensitivities will also be seen as an “invitation” to reactionary Muslims who are “hard to control”.


Pembela demanded Christians apologise to Muslim community for their hurtful statements and actions over the issue.

It urged the Christian groups to stop taking a confrontational approach and instead use the available channels of dialogue, such as through the Committee for the Promotion of Religious Understanding and Harmony Among Adherents, to resolve the row peacefully.

It stressed that if the Christians continued their “hardline stance” and disturbed the previous religious formula that had worked for decades, Muslims “will not stay silent and will fight to defend its rights”.

The group stressed Muslims in Malaysia are a sovereign community and “Islam in Malaysia is not an orphan or stepchild that has no guardian and caretaker”.

Pembela also called on national political leaders not to pawn the sovereignty of Islam because of political pressure.

It said that bowing down to pressure may bring temporary relief but, in the long run, will destroy the axis of nation-building and cause all parties to lose out.

“We are also not comfortable with the approach to let non-Muslim leaders become the spokesman for the government or opposition in this issue, because the issue involved Islam, it should rightfully be a Muslim leader who takes charge of it,” it said, referring to the latest statements from Datuk Seri Idris Jala for government and DAP publicity chief Tony Pua for the opposition team.

Pembela said it has decided to mobilise an awareness campaign among Muslim voters here to reject any leader who has over-compromised on the sovereignty of Islam in Malaysia.

Sarawak will go to the polls on April 16. National polls are widely expected to be called within the year, ahead of its 2013 due date. TheMalaysiaInsider.... (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/christians-inviting-trouble-over-alkitab-row-say-muslim-ngos/)

[pywong]

Alkitab row shows wider check on non-Muslims, says Pakatan
By Melissa Chi
March 27, 2011

http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/mugshots/tonypua250px.jpg
KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 — Leaders from the Opposition have described the controversy surrounding Malay bibles and the use of “Allah” by Christians as just the tip of the iceberg in the erosion of non-Muslim rights.

DAP publicity chief Tony Pua (picture) said the government did not seem to be picking specifically on Christians, but other religions other than Islam as well.

“I think that the government has the same treatment to all religions, it’s just that the Christians are speaking up today. If you look at the school system, government departments, you can see mild forms of preferences or restrictions of religions increasing over the years.

“It is already happening, it’s just that [followers of] other religions are not speaking up about it,” he said.

He said for example there was a limit on the number of temples that can be built, and that if it was in a Malay majority area, no other places of worship could be built in the vicinity.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) had issued a strongly worded statement yesterday accusing the government of riding roughshod over religions other than Islam when it imposed conditions for the release of 35,000 Malay bibles seized from Port Klang and Kuching.

In a series of news statements that started earlier this month, the Christian organisation denounced the government for defacing its holy books with the home ministry’s official seal, an act it said amounted to desecration.

About one in 10 Malaysians is Christian.

The MCCBCHST said the authorities seemed to want Malaysians to believe that the Alkitab conflict is solely a tussle between two creeds, Islam and Christianity; and affects only Muslims and Christians.

“After the Christians have been ‘fixed’, who next?” the council had questioned. Pua said, however, that he was anticipating the government would give “superficial forms of religious freedom”, ahead of the coming Sarawak elections.

But he remained convinced that the voters would not buy into the government’s ploy and that more Malaysians were waking up to the reality in terms of limited freedom of religion in the country.

“What they say is true. The question is whether or not it will find resonance among the communities,” he said, referring to the council’s suggestion.

When asked if the continuation of the current religious controversies might heighten the religious or racial tension in the country, he said it will have to depend on the ruling government.

“It depends on the wisdom of the ruling party or ruling elites, leaders, if they decide to uphold the constitution, then there will be no issue but if they take it upon themselves to uphold a particular belief in the expense of others, then it is hard to say,” he said.

Freedom of religion is enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution. Article 11 provides that every person has the right to profess and to practice his or her religion and is subject to applicable laws restricting the propagation of other religions to Muslims.

Under Article 3, the Constitution also provides that Islam is the religion of the country but other religions may be practiced in peace and harmony.

PKR political bureau member, Sivarasa Rasiah, said that the root of the controversies between the government and Christian groups stemmed from Barisan Nasional’s thought process, which is very dominated by the Umno Ketuanan Melayu concept.

He echoed Pua’s comments that Christians are not being singled out in these cases.

“Basically asserting the Umno thinking frame that Malay dominance means Islamic dominance,” he said, adding that the historical clash between Islam and Christianity is age-old.

“There is a kind of insecurity which is part of the Malay dominance, where they feel compelled to draw a line in the sand,” he said.

He added that the problem is not with the religion, but with the “politically insecure dominant group”, pointing out that Indonesia does not face the same problems, even though they have the most number of Muslims in the world.

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub once again stood by his party’s stance that they do not have a problem for Christians to use Allah to refer to their God.

“I think that the government should be more understanding about this issue and PAS has a very firm stand about that that Christians can use Allah in the bible as long as use the name in the right context.

“So the government must understand the teachings of Islam,” he said.

Salahuddin pointed out one of the government’s many inactions, is that with the passing of the Datuk Ilani Ishak on February 24, her replacement to lead the national interfaith committee has yet to be announced.

The former lawyer was appointed by the Cabinet to be its special co-ordinator and had been specially handpicked by the Cabinet to head a national committee that saw, for the first time, Muslim leaders at the same table with leaders of other faiths to talk over how to end quarrel and misunderstanding among their followers.

“In the future, the government should engage in all this groups and have round table discussions when it comes to sensitive topics such as religion,” Salahuddin said. He added that the government has the resources to engage the different religious groups across the country.

“We should engage with the people before we make any decisions. The government have to look at this matter to understand and try to [reach a common ground] and not just enforce them in terms of Ketuanan Melayu, that’s the way,” he said.

According to the Population and Housing Census 2000 figures, approximately 60.4 percent of the population practised Islam; 19.2 percent Buddhism; 9.1 percent Christianity; 6.3 percent Hinduism; and 2.6 percent practise Confucianism, Taoism and other traditional Chinese religions.

The MCCBCHST — which represents five out of the country’s six main creeds — reminded the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition of its founder’s words uttered shortly after Independence in 1957, that there should be freedom of worship, speech, want, association, assembly and the freedom of movement.

The MCCBCHST further accused Islamic leaders of not knowing their own religion despite dipping their fingers into the controversy.

Prophet Muhammad was said to have made a promise to a delegation of monks from the monastery near Mount Sinai over 1,400 years ago that Muslims will always protect Christians and their way of worship.

The Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug-of-war over the word “Allah”, with the latter group arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds that Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim God.

Christians, however, have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, for centuries in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.

The tussle is still trapped in the courts after the ministry won a stay of the 2009 High Court ruling that allowed Catholic weekly The Herald to use “Allah” in its Bahasa Malaysia section.

The ongoing bible row started in January and came to a head last week after the home ministry stamped the two separate shipments with its official seal before ordering their release.

The Christian importers have denounced the Najib administration for the act, which they say is a desecration of their holy book.

The government had since backed down and offered to paste over the marked Alkitab with labels that simply read “For Christianity”.

With Sarawakians going to the polls on April 16, the twin issues are expected to weigh on the minds of Christians who make up close to half of the hornbill state’s total population. TheMalaysiaInsider.... (http://themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/alkitab-row-shows-wider-check-on-non-muslims-says-pakatan)

[pywong]

Good analysis. As long as we don't face reality and understand that this is part of a bigger programme of psychological warfare, we will remain confused.

Another problem is country bumpkins given too much power and no one to check on them. Also same party in power for too long and they remain confident of being in power through cheating during elections.

Why defacement of the Alkitab is desecration (http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/159346)
Ng Kam Weng
Mar 22, 11


Some government officials have claimed that Christians are making an unnecessary fuss over the recent stamping of the Alkitab seized in Port Klang and Kuching. After all, they say, the Government also requires copies of the Quran to be chopped/stamped with a notice of government approval before they are sold in the shops.

Even some Christians also wonder why such a big deal is being made about the stamping since Christians, unlike Muslims, do not regard printed copies of the Bible with reverence. It is just a printed text. What matters is the message conveyed by the Bible.

This article seeks to address the failure to understand the reason for rejecting the stamping of the Alkitab. The terms of the debate need first be clearly defined to ensure accuracy in my analysis and coherence of my argument.

Since the issue is whether the government officials committed desecration of the Holy Bible let me begin with some definitions taken from the Oxford English Dictionary.

Holy

1. Of a thing, place, etc.: kept or regarded as sacred; set apart for religious use or observance; consecrated.
2. Of a god or icon: (to be) held in religious veneration or reverence; spec. in the Christian Church, free from all contamination of sin and evil, morally and spiritually
perfect.

Sacred

1. Consecrated to or considered especially dear to a god or supernatural being.
2. Set apart for or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration or respect;
consecrated, hallowed (in names of animals and plants indicating ancient or traditional
veneration).

Desecration

1. Remove or violate the sacred nature of, profane; fig. spoil or treat with contempt (something venerated or admired).

From these definition I shall say that when Christians refer to "The Holy Bible" they are commending it as something set apart or dedicated to religious activity and thus to be held in reverence.

There is some diversity among Christians in the way they approach the Bible. Some devout Christians approach the text with veneration. Other Christians feel they do not need to revere a printed book, but they will still consider the text to be indispensable in leading them into the presence of the Holy God.

We should also keep in mind that Muslims display great reverence for their holy text, as is evident from the way they physically handle the printed Quran and how they protest (violently in some cases) when the Quran is reportedly mishandled or desecrated.

How do we decide when a holy text has been desecrated, that is, violated and treated with contempt? Let us consider several scenarios pertaining to how the holy text could be treated:

1. A government official stamps on copies of the Quran to declare they are legally approved by the authorities.

2. A Christian stamps his name on the inside cover to declare ownership of a copy of the Bible.

3. A Christian highlights a scripture text while reading the Bible.

4. A critical scholar scrawls on pages of his Bible with the word "LIES AND MYTHS" while a militant atheist cuts off sections of the Bible he considers out of date and irrelevant (for example - miraculous stories).

5. A Nazi mob burns a heap of seized Bibles with wood carved in the form of the Swastika.

Comments on the above scenarios:

1. Obviously, stamping on these Qurans is not an act of desecration. Rather it positively declares that these copies of the Quran are to be accepted as authoritative texts to be used by Muslims in their devotion. Its intention is one of positive regard in contrast to desecration that treats the text with contempt.

2. This action has no expressed valuation on the Biblical text. The owner simply declares his ownership of the book. The question of desecration does not arise.

3. For this devout Christian, highlighting the texts emphasizes his response while engaging with the text - as a human listening to the voice of God speaking through the text. It represents the *personal* response of the reader as he is led into the presence of the divine. Obviously, the reader's attitude is one of reverence rather one of triviality and contempt.

On the other hand, other Christians may hesitate to highlight the text even when they experience spiritual uplift while reading the text because of their cultural background and personal sentiments. In this case, both these groups of Christian should respect each other and give allowance to one another so long as both groups respect the Bible and more importantly, obey the spiritual injunction of its teachings.

4. There is no desecration when a critical scholar declares he does not regard the Bible as the revealed word of God. He may even exercise his academic freedom and publish articles that criticise the Bible. The scholar is entitled to his view but the militant atheist is expressing contempt for the Bible and commits desecration by cutting up the Bible.

5. The Nazi mob is expressing publicly their contempt towards the Bible. The fire symbolically declares the intention of the Nazi movement to destroy both Christianity and the Bible. This is a desecration and a violent declaration of war.

The Question

Obviously, the issue of desecration is a complex one. We need to take into account the cultural values and the intention of the actors in making judgment when someone makes a mark on a holy text. We need to be sensitive to both the intention of the actor (message sent) and the perception of the believers of the holy text (message received). They may or may not coincide.

How then do we evaluate the action of the government officials when they stamped the Alkitab with the words: "FOR CHRISTIANS ONLY" "BY ORDER OF THE HOME MINISTER".

Background Information

The root cause of the problem can be traced back to the December 1981 when the then Deputy Minister of Home Affairs gazetted the prohibition of the Alkitab in Malaysia under Section 22 of the Internal Security Act 1960 (PU (A) 15/82).

It was a draconian order prohibiting absolutely the printing, publication, sale, issue, circulation or possession of the Alkitab. The gazette contained a very serious accusation, which might even be considered seditious, stating that the prohibition was made on the grounds that the Alkitab is prejudicial to the national interest and security of the Federation.

In March 1982, a subsequent decision of the Deputy Minister repealed the above order in recognition of the fact that it is unacceptable to prohibit Christians from using their Holy Scriptures.

This was done vide PU (A) 134 which, while retaining the prohibition, subjected it to the condition that "this prohibition does not apply to the possession or use in Churches of such publication by persons professing the Christian religion throughout Malaysia".

It should be emphasised that such a restriction is unacceptable by any standard of modern democracy. But even then the Christian community went along with the government. As such, there was no attempt to display and sell copies of the Alkitab in public bookstores like MPH.

In December 2005, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi made an agreement with Church leaders whereby Christians were allowed to import the Alkitab on condition that its front cover has the words "Penerbitan Kristian" along with the symbol of the cross.

Although the word 'compromise' is used here, it was actually the case of Christians giving ground. After all, even the unacceptable gazette in 1982 did not require imprinting of the words "Penerbitan Kristian" and the symbol of the cross.

So when Cabinet Minister Max Ongkili now suggests that Christians should compromise in a spirit of give and take, he should be reminded that it has always been the case of the Christians compromising - the Christians are always giving and the government is always taking.

Analysis

The issue of desecration did not arise when Christians agreed to print the cross with the caveat onto the cover of the Bible since it was to assure the government that Christians are not engaging in covert evangelism. Unfortunately, this did not stop the government from continuing to seize the Alkitab and other Christian teaching materials. The harassment from the government climaxed with the recent stamping of the Alkitab without consent from the Christian community.

To add salt to injury, the chop includes in bold print the words, "FOR CHRISTIANS ONLY" "BY ORDER OF HOME MINISTER". This imprint amounts to discrimination against Christians and displays contempt towards their Holy Scripture. Two concerns arise immediately.

First, Christians cannot in good conscience limit the Word of God only to Christians. It is for anyone who freely seeks him including the animists in East Malaysia, atheists, secularists, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. By the same token the Buddhists and Hindus also say their holy writings are also for every interested seeker.

They don't have to apologise for their view and Christians respect their freedom to share their holy writings to all and sundry. Christians want to ask the government: "Why single out Christians and the Bible?" This is religious discrimination to say the least.

Second, the government officials obviously displayed contempt towards the Alkitab in the act of stamping it. How else can Christians react but to reject such an imposition? Why should Muslims feign surprise that Christians feel their Holy Bible (Alkitab) has been desecrated?

Indeed, some Muslims would respond with violence if their Quran is treated in the same manner. Be assured that Muslims understand the need to respect and give reverence to printed copies of holy texts.

Further, the government acted with arrogance towards both Christians and the Alkitab when they went full throttle to stamp on the Alkitab, even while the Christians cried "Desecration!" This is nothing less than an "in your face" insult.

To cap the arrogance, the government now arrogates for itself power over God's Word with the bold imprint, "BY ORDER OF HOME MINISTER". Such a statement imposed and imprinted upon the Alkitab is alarming as it can amount to BLASPHEMY (arrogating for oneself the honor and authority which belongs to God).

It is already an act of defacement when the government utterly disregarded the fact that Christians regard the Alkitab as Holy Scripture.

It is a hostile and contemptuous action that ignores the protest from Christians. In the light of these factors, any self-respecting Christian who loves God and His Holy Scripture can only judge the government's action as one of DESECRATION of God's Word.


Dr. Ng Kam Weng is research director of the Kairos Research Centre.

[pywong]

Good analysis. As long as we don't face reality and understand that this is part of a bigger programme of psychological warfare, we will remain confused.

*Why defacement of the Alkitab is desecration (http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/159346)*
Ng Kam Weng
Mar 22, 11


Some government officials have claimed that Christians are making an unnecessary fuss over the recent stamping of the Alkitab seized in Port Klang and Kuching. After all, they say, the Government also requires copies of the Quran to be chopped/stamped with a notice of government approval before they are sold in the shops.

Even some Christians also wonder why such a big deal is being made about the stamping since Christians, unlike Muslims, do not regard printed copies of the Bible with reverence. It is just a printed text. What matters is the message conveyed by the Bible.

This article seeks to address the failure to understand the reason for rejecting the stamping of the Alkitab. The terms of the debate need first be clearly defined to ensure accuracy in my analysis and coherence of my argument.

Since the issue is whether the government officials committed desecration of the Holy Bible let me begin with some definitions taken from the Oxford English Dictionary.

*Holy*
*1.* Of a thing, place, etc.: kept or regarded as sacred; set apart for religious use or observance; consecrated.
*2.* Of a god or icon: (to be) held in religious veneration or reverence; *spec.* in the Christian Church, free from all contamination of sin and evil, morally and spiritually
perfect.

*Sacred*
*1.* Consecrated to or considered especially dear to a god or supernatural being.
*2.* Set apart for or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration or respect;
consecrated, hallowed (in names of animals and plants indicating ancient or traditional
veneration).

*Desecration *
*1.* Remove or violate the sacred nature of, profane; *fig.*spoil or treat with contempt (something venerated or admired).

From these definition I shall say that when Christians refer to "The Holy Bible" they are commending it as something set apart or dedicated to religious activity and thus to be held in reverence.

There is some diversity among Christians in the way they approach the Bible. Some devout Christians approach the text with veneration. Other Christians feel they do not need to revere a printed book, but they will still consider the text to be indispensable in leading them into the presence of the Holy God.

We should also keep in mind that Muslims display great reverence for their holy text, as is evident from the way they physically handle the printed Quran and how they protest (violently in some cases) when the Quran is reportedly mishandled or desecrated.

How do we decide when a holy text has been desecrated, that is, violated and treated with contempt? Let us consider several scenarios pertaining to how the holy text could be treated:

1. A government official stamps on copies of the Quran to declare they are legally approved by the authorities.

2. A Christian stamps his name on the inside cover to declare ownership of a copy of the Bible.

3. A Christian highlights a scripture text while reading the Bible.

4. A critical scholar scrawls on pages of his Bible with the word "LIES AND MYTHS" while a militant atheist cuts off sections of the Bible he considers out of date and irrelevant (for example - miraculous stories).

5. A Nazi mob burns a heap of seized Bibles with wood carved in the form of the Swastika.

*Comments on the above scenarios*:

1. Obviously, stamping on these Qurans is not an act of desecration. Rather it positively declares that these copies of the Quran are to be accepted as authoritative texts to be used by Muslims in their devotion. Its intention is one of positive regard in contrast to desecration that treats the text with contempt.

2. This action has no expressed valuation on the Biblical text. The owner simply declares his ownership of the book. The question of desecration does not arise.

3. For this devout Christian, highlighting the texts emphasizes his response while engaging with the text - as a human listening to the voice of God speaking through the text. It represents the *personal* response of the reader as he is led into the presence of the divine. Obviously, the reader's attitude is one of reverence rather one of triviality and contempt.

On the other hand, other Christians may hesitate to highlight the text even when they experience spiritual uplift while reading the text because of their cultural background and personal sentiments. In this case, both these groups of Christian should respect each other and give allowance to one another so long as both groups respect the Bible and more importantly, obey the spiritual injunction of its teachings.

4. There is no desecration when a critical scholar declares he does not regard the Bible as the revealed word of God. He may even exercise his academic freedom and publish articles that criticise the Bible. The scholar is entitled to his view but the militant atheist is expressing contempt for the Bible and commits desecration by cutting up the Bible.

5. The Nazi mob is expressing publicly their contempt towards the Bible. The fire symbolically declares the intention of the Nazi movement to destroy both Christianity and the Bible. This is a desecration and a violent declaration of war.

The Question

Obviously, the issue of desecration is a complex one. We need to take into account the cultural values and the intention of the actors in making judgment when someone makes a mark on a holy text. We need to be sensitive to both the intention of the actor (message sent) and the perception of the believers of the holy text (message received). They may or may not coincide.

How then do we evaluate the action of the government officials when they stamped the Alkitab with the words: "FOR CHRISTIANS ONLY" "BY ORDER OF THE HOME MINISTER".

Background Information

The root cause of the problem can be traced back to the December 1981 when the then Deputy Minister of Home Affairs gazetted the prohibition of the Alkitab in Malaysia under Section 22 of the Internal Security Act 1960 (PU (A) 15/82).

It was a draconian order prohibiting absolutely the printing, publication, sale, issue, circulation or possession of the Alkitab. The gazette contained a very serious accusation, which might even be considered seditious, stating that the prohibition was made on the grounds that the Alkitab is prejudicial to the national interest and security of the Federation.

In March 1982, a subsequent decision of the Deputy Minister repealed the above order in recognition of the fact that it is unacceptable to prohibit Christians from using their Holy Scriptures.

This was done vide PU (A) 134 which, while retaining the prohibition, subjected it to the condition that "this prohibition does not apply to the possession or use in Churches of such publication by persons professing the Christian religion throughout Malaysia".

It should be emphasised that such a restriction is unacceptable by any standard of modern democracy. But even then the Christian community went along with the government. As such, there was no attempt to display and sell copies of the Alkitab in public bookstores like MPH.

In December 2005, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi made an agreement with Church leaders whereby Christians were allowed to import the Alkitab on condition that its front cover has the words "Penerbitan Kristian" along with the symbol of the cross.

Although the word 'compromise' is used here, it was actually the case of Christians giving ground. After all, even the unacceptable gazette in 1982 did not require imprinting of the words "Penerbitan Kristian" and the symbol of the cross.

So when Cabinet Minister Max Ongkili now suggests that Christians should compromise in a spirit of give and take, he should be reminded that it has always been the case of the Christians compromising - the Christians are always giving and the government is always taking.

Analysis

The issue of desecration did not arise when Christians agreed to print the cross with the caveat onto the cover of the Bible since it was to assure the government that Christians are not engaging in covert evangelism. Unfortunately, this did not stop the government from continuing to seize the Alkitab and other Christian teaching materials. The harassment from the government climaxed with the recent stamping of the Alkitab without consent from the Christian community.

To add salt to injury, the chop includes in bold print the words, "FOR CHRISTIANS ONLY" "BY ORDER OF HOME MINISTER". This imprint amounts to discrimination against Christians and displays contempt towards their Holy Scripture. Two concerns arise immediately.

First, Christians cannot in good conscience limit the Word of God only to Christians. It is for anyone who freely seeks him including the animists in East Malaysia, atheists, secularists, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. By the same token the Buddhists and Hindus also say their holy writings are also for every interested seeker.

They don't have to apologise for their view and Christians respect their freedom to share their holy writings to all and sundry. Christians want to ask the government: "Why single out Christians and the Bible?" This is religious discrimination to say the least.

Second, the government officials obviously displayed contempt towards the Alkitab in the act of stamping it. How else can Christians react but to reject such an imposition? Why should Muslims feign surprise that Christians feel their Holy Bible (Alkitab) has been desecrated?

Indeed, some Muslims would respond with violence if their Quran is treated in the same manner. Be assured that Muslims understand the need to respect and give reverence to printed copies of holy texts.

Further, the government acted with arrogance towards both Christians and the Alkitab when they went full throttle to stamp on the Alkitab, even while the Christians cried "Desecration!" This is nothing less than an "in your face" insult.

To cap the arrogance, the government now arrogates for itself power over God's Word with the bold imprint, "BY ORDER OF HOME MINISTER". Such a statement imposed and imprinted upon the Alkitab is alarming as it can amount to BLASPHEMY (arrogating for oneself the honor and authority which belongs to God).

It is already an act of defacement when the government utterly disregarded the fact that Christians regard the Alkitab as Holy Scripture.

It is a hostile and contemptuous action that ignores the protest from Christians. In the light of these factors, any self-respecting Christian who loves God and His Holy Scripture can only judge the government's action as one of DESECRATION of God's Word.


Dr. Ng Kam Weng is research director of the Kairos Research Centre.

---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 PM ----------

Protect and defend Christians’ right to use the Alkitab (http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/39227-protect-and-defend-christians-right-to-use-the-alkitab)
LETTERS/SURAT

Wednesday, 30 March 2011 Combat

By The Christian Federation of Malaysia

We are grateful to Almighty God for bringing together Christian leaders from across churches in Semenanjung, Sabah and Sarawak to address the current controversy surrounding the impounding of Bahasa Malaysia Bibles, the Alkitab, at Port Klang and Kuching. This decision weighs heavily on us because of the implications not only for Christians but for all Malaysians.

We are united in our reaffirmation of the freedom of religion and worship. Therefore, our position is that there should be no restrictions, proscriptions or prohibitions whatsoever on the bible or the use of the language of our choice in the practice of our religion, as it was in the days before and after the formation of Malaysia.

Christians, like any other Malaysian, are not demanding for anything beyond our constitutional and fundamental human rights as enshrined in Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The current controversy surrounding the Alkitab is just one of many issues that concerns Christians. There has been a systematic and progressive pushing back of the public space to practise, to profess and to express our faith. For example, the wearing and displaying of crosses and other religious symbols, the use of religious words and the construction of places of worship have been restricted.

When Christians express this concern, we do so not just for ourselves but on behalf of all Malaysians. Our faith forms a critical component of our identity as Malaysians in nation-building as enshrined in the first pillar of our nation’s Rukunegara: Belief in God.

As regards the offer made by the government on 22 March 2011, we respectfully state that this does not address the substantive issues. In point of fact, our previous offer made in 2005 to use the term “A Christian Publication” was only honoured in respect of one shipment of the Alkitab. Subsequent shipments were similarly held up and subjected to further arbitrary conditions for release.

In order to move forward, we call on the Government to commit itself once and for all to remove every impediment, whether legal or administrative, to the importation, publication, distribution and use of the Alkitab and indeed to protect and defend our right to use the Alkitab.

This includes revoking all orders made under the Internal Security Act 1960, which have declared the Alkitab as a threat to national security. Neither can the Alkitab be considered a threat to public order under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. We categorically reject the characterisation of our Holy Scriptures in this manner.

Instead, we see our Holy Scriptures as providing enlightenment and direction. In the words of the psalmist, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105). In the New Testament is stated the teaching that we hold dear and true: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16)

We remain committed to work with the Government for a viable and long- term solution where the detailed processes and procedures are made clear and unequivocal and so long as our fundamental liberties as enshrined in the Federal Constitution are not infringed.

As for the copies of the Alkitab that have been impounded and desecrated, we reiterate our position that the action of the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) in stamping the bibles amounts to an act of defacement, disrespect and treating with disdain the holy book of the Christians.

Given the unfortunate experience of KDN’s tendency of taking arbitrary action without consulting affected parties or respecting the religious sensitivities of the Christian community, any decision to collect copies of the Alkitab which have been stamped and serialised would be with a view to prevent the possibility of further arbitrary acts of desecration, disrespect or destruction being committed against the Holy Scripture of the Christians by KDN and its officers.

We have left it to the two importers to decide whether or not to collect the Alkitab, based on their different specific circumstances and level of trust in the authorities and the processes in their local context.

Nevertheless, no matter what their decision is, we remain united in our common stand to uphold the principle of freedom of religion which includes the free availability without hindrance or obstacle of the Alkitab and all sacred scriptures in Malaysia.

We continue to call on all peace-loving Malaysians to pray for a dignified resolution to these critical issues in the life of our nation.

Dated this day 30th March 2011

Bishop Ng Moon Hing

Chairman and the Executive Committee

The Christian Federation of Malaysia

[pywong]

Have you heard of the phase "The last straw that broke the camel's back"? This is it!

Christians reject Putrajaya’s overture over Malay bibles (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/christians-reject-putrajayas-overture-over-malay-bibles/)
UPDATED @ 07:59:19 PM 30-03-2011
By Debra Chong
March 30, 2011

http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/2011/march/10/bible-march10.jpg
KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) rejected today the federal government’s overture in the Alkitab row, saying it did not resolve the core issue which is the erosion of basic human rights protected by the Federal Constitution.

Follow the comments for the mood of the readers.

[pywong]

Bible Society collects stamped Alkitab — as museum piece (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/bible-society-collects-stamped-alkitab-as-museum-piece/)
By Debra Chong
March 31, 2011

http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/2011/march/31/stamp.jpg
The ministry’s seal is seen on the front cover of an Alkitab at Kuching Port. — file pic
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 — Despite denouncing the federal government for “desecrating” 5,000 Malay bibles with the Home Ministry’s seal, the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) has finally picked up its two-year-old cargo worth RM70,000 from Port Klang.


The importer said the stamped and serialised bibles, which it collected yesterday, cannot be sold and will instead be preserved as museum pieces and a reminder to future generations of Malaysian Christians of what it maintains was a deliberate and unjustified government move to deface their holy book.

“The 5,000 copies of the Alkitab that has been defaced by KDN (the Home Ministry) cannot be sold to Christian buyers.

“Instead, they will be respectfully preserved as museum pieces and as a heritage for the Christian Church in Malaysia,” the BSM said in a statement last night.

It was silent on the present location of the holy books and the Christian museum.

When contacted, the society’s general secretary, Reverend Simon Wong, told The Malaysian Insider the details would be disclosed later, but gave no date.

BSM said it decided collect the bibles because it feared the ministry may carry out what it considered further acts of desecration or disrespect on the bibles which it had seized from port on March 20, 2009.

The society pointed to the ministry’s officials who hastily moved to stamp and serialise every copy without first consulting its organisation two weeks ago.

BSM also rejected the Cabinet’s offer for certain Christian donors to reimburse BSM for the costs of the marked cargo, valued at RM70,000.

The government’s Christian minister, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, in his statement on March 22, said that certain Christian donors had also offered to fully replace, free of charge, the two marked cargoes at Port Klang and Kuching, which had been seized and detained by home ministry officials.

“Concerning the offer to compensate BSM for the costs of this shipment, BSM wishes to make its stand clear that BSM will only accept a cheque from KDN and will not accept any money from so-called ‘Christian donors’,” it said.

Earlier yesterday, the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) rejected the federal government’s overture in the Alkitab row, saying it did not resolve the core issue which is the erosion of basic human rights protected by the Federal Constitution.

The umbrella body representing over 90 per cent of churches here was referring specifically to Putrajaya’s offer to mask the Home Ministry’s stamp and serial numbering of 35,100 copies of the Malay bibles shipped in from Indonesia last week, as laid down last week by Jala, who is in charge of government and economic transformation.

“Our position is that there should be no restrictions, proscriptions or prohibitions whatsoever on the bible or the use of the language of our choice in the practice of our religion, as it was in the days before and after the formation of Malaysia,” CFM said in a statement here today, adding that the Alkitab issue was not the only restriction.

It noted that there has been a “systematic and progressive pushing back” of Christian rights — dating back to the 1980s — namely the right to practise, profess and express their faith.

It pointed to a series of restrictions imposed on Christians, such as the freedom to wear and openly display religious symbols, like the cross; the building of churches; and even what words can be used in a Christian religious context.

CFM, however, had said it would leave the decision on what to do with the marked cargoes to the two Alkitab importers in Selangor and Sarawak.

The Sarawak importer, a local branch of global Christian group, The Gideons, has yet to announce its decision.

Malaysia’s biggest state with a majority Christian population will head to the ballot box for its state polls on April 16.

[pywong]

Seems like the BSM undercut the CFM. My prediction: Najib will surrender meekly. He has no balls. But he will do it through Hishamuddin, who will have to swallow the bitter pill.

http://cdn.malaysia-chronicle.com/media/k2/items/cache/057abbd1b7f7ea173f859730686889da_S.jpg
Thursday, 31 March 2011 11:05
Impasse over Malay Bibles far from broken, Najib urged to concede (http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=9846:impasse-over-malay-bibles-far-from-broken-najib-urged-to-concede&Itemid=2)
Written by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

Despite reports in the mainstream media that the impasse over the Malay-language Bibles or Alkitab has been broken, Christian groups are even more vigilant than before after a perceived aborted attempt by Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government to gloss over the latest rejection of its “For Christianity” stamping.

Hot on the heels of a statement from the Christian Federation of Malaysia that it had rejected the Home Ministry’s revised condition was news that the Bible Society had reacted the other way and took delivery of some 5,000 Alkitab detained at the ports.

“We were shocked at the Bible Society of Malaysia and would have taken the strongest action against it. We would appreciate if you could highlight that the BSM is a commercial unit and completely separate and unaligned to the Church,” a veteran Christian leader told Malaysia Chronicle.

“If it had refused to reverse its decision, we would have called on all Christians to boycott the Alkitab and BSM itself. We see this as another devious move by the government to infiltrate and divide the Christians in Malaysia.”

Intrigue and the devious hand of a hostile government

Meanwhile, the BSM announced that it had only agreed to collect 5,000 copies of the Alkitab because it wanted to prevent “further acts of desecration” against the Bible.

In a late night statement to the Sun, which ran the headline Impasse broken: 5,000 Bibles collected, the BSM said: “They will be respectfully preserved as museum pieces and as a heritage for the Christian Church in Malaysia.”

The importer of Bibles and Christian literature added that the losses incurred on the affected Alkitab amounted to RM70,000 and that it would only accept compensation from the Home Ministry and not any “Christian donor”

According to prominent civil society leader, Ramon Navaratnam, the BSM statement was a vast improvement over the rumors that had spread like wildfire across the Christian community on Wednesday night.

“Unless the personalities involved come out to actually say what really happened, no one will really know the full and it is no point adding to the speculation. But Christians must remain united especially during this trying time,” Ramon, a devout Christian, told Malaysia Chronicle.

“Frankly, I see no way out but for the government to concede. Any attempts to gloss over or even the mere perception of a cover-up would be extremely bad for Malaysia’s image in the eyes of Christians here, the rest of the world and even to enlightened Muslim leaders.”

Respect for the law and investor confidence

Apart from losing the confidence of the various religious communities in the country, Ramon warned that the insistence by Najib's government to tag the Bibles was against the Federal Constitution.

Indeed, pundits have said how the Najib administration handled this legal quagmire would also be closely watched by investors.

Foreign confidence in the country had plunged following Najib’s insistence on propping up a coup d’etat government he installed in Perak through judiciary rulings that were manifestly biased and in favour of Umno’s Zambry Kadir and the BN state administration.

“It is not just the spirit of the law but also the letter and word of the law that must be respected,” said Ramon, who was also past president of Transparency International Malaysia.

The controversy over the Alkitab flared up earlier this month after the Home Ministry detained some 35,100 copies of the Malay Bibles in Port Klang and the Kuching port. After much pressure from the Christian community, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the Bibles would be released, but imposed the two conditions, namely stamping a serial number and the words 'For Christians Only'.

It created even greater uproar, leading his ministry into unveiling the 'For Christianity' decision. But that was also rejected by the Christian Federation of Malaysia, which had met earlier on Wednesday.

The CFM reiterated its stand that there should be no restrictions, proscriptions or prohibitions whatsoever on the Bible or the use of the language of their choice in the practice of their religion, as it was in the days before and after the formation of Malaysia.

"We refuse to accept the new condition imposed by the Home Ministry and will continue negotiating with the authorities,” CFM member Rev Thomas Philips, who is also the president of religious organisation MCCBCHST, told Malaysia Chronicle.

- Malaysia Chronicle

[pywong]

Hisham's hypocrisy is so breath-taking that it can only be exceeded by his hypocrisy!

CFM, continuing squeezing. They are cracking.

http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/mugshots/hishammuddin-hussein-aug2.jpg

Hisham asks Christians to be ‘fair and reasonable’ over Alkitab
(http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/hisham-asks-christians-to-be-fair-and-reasonable-over-alkitab/)
UPDATED @ 05:57:52 PM 31-03-2011
By Shannon Teoh
March 31, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 — Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein called today for Christian groups to be “fair and reasonable” in the ongoing Alkitab row after the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) rejected the government’s latest overture which it said failed to address the erosion of religious rights.

“I hope they can come to a solution that is fair and reasonable,” the home minister said when asked about CFM’s rejection of Putrajaya’s offer last week to mask the ministry’s stamp and serial numbering of 35,100 copies of the Malay bibles.

The continued impasse over the seizure of 35,100 Malay-language bibles now looks set to spill over into the Sarawak state election campaign which begins on April 6, where over half of the 1,000,000 voters in the state are Christians.

Hishammuddin (picture) also denied that Christians were unanimously against the government’s stand on the issue as he has been getting “mixed responses, and some say they will collect the bibles.”

CFM, which represents 90 per cent of churches in Malaysia, had rejected the government’s offer laid down last week by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala, who is in charge of the government’s economic transformation.

Jala, in his statement on March 22, also said that certain Christian donors had also offered to fully replace — free of charge — the two marked cargoes at Port Klang and Kuching, which had been seized and detained by Home Ministry officials.

The CFM did not seem mollified by Jala’s attempts to placate the community, maintaining that the act — which had been carried out quietly and without the Bible importers’ consent — amounted to a desecration of the Christian holy book and an outright show of disrespect, breaching the guarantees of this country’s highest law.

“Our position is that there should be no restrictions, proscriptions or prohibitions whatsoever on the Bible or the use of the language of our choice in the practice of our religion, as it was in the days before and after the formation of Malaysia,” CFM said in a statement yesterday.

It also noted that there has been a “systematic and progressive pushing back” of Christian rights — dating back to the 1980s — namely the right to practise, profess and express their faith.

It pointed to a series of restrictions imposed on Christians, such as the freedom to wear and openly display religious symbols like the cross, the building of churches, and even what words can be used in a Christian religious context.

The Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) had yesterday picked up its shipment of 5,000 bibles from Port Klang but insisted that it will be preserved to remind future generations of Malaysian Christians of what it maintains was a deliberate and unjustified government move to deface their holy book.

“Concerning the offer to compensate BSM for the cost of this shipment, BSM wishes to make its stand clear that BSM will only accept a cheque from KDN (the Home Ministry) and will not accept any money from so-called ‘Christian donors’,” it said.

Hishammuddin said that Jala, who is also a Sarawak Christian, and “his Christian friends” were still working to resolve the issue.

Sarawak goes to the polls on April 16, where the opposition hopes to make significant gains on the back of issues such as the Alkitab row.

[pywong]

Rising Christian anger in Malaysia over Bible seizures (http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/03/30/idINIndia-55989920110330)

By Razak Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR | Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:54pm IST

(Reuters) - Rising Christian anger in mainly Muslim Malaysia over the government's handling of a case involving seized Bibles could complicate Prime Minister Najib Razak's bid to win back the support of minorities ahead of an early general election.

The row over 35,100 imported Malay language Bibles and Christian texts impounded by Customs authorities comes amid a legal battle on the right of non-Muslims to use the Arabic word "Allah" and could raise ethno-religious tensions in the country.

The bibles were seized in 2009 but the case was only made public in January.

"There has been a systematic and progressive pushing back of the public space to practise, to profess and to express our faith," Bishop Ng Moon Hing, chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), said in a statement on Wednesday.

Christians make up 9.1 percent of the country's 28 million population. Chinese and Indian non-Muslim ethnic minorities have abandoned the government, leading to record losses for Najib's ruling coalition in the last national polls in 2008 and growing complaints of marginalisation.

Economic growth, which accelerated to a 10-year high of 7.2 percent in 2010, and strong commodity prices are fuelling speculation that Najib may call a general election late this year, though one does not have to be held until 2013.

But the row signals continuing minority discontent that could stymie Najib's bid to reverse the 2008 poll losses and to accelerate the implementation of tax and subsidy reforms, which have slowed due to the government's wariness about upsetting voters.

"This issue will make it easier for the opposition to win additional seats," said James Chin, a political analyst at the Monash University campus in Kuala Lumpur.

The "Allah" affair has been running since December 2009, when a Catholic publication was given the right to use the word, which led to attacks on houses of worship.

The use of the Arabic word is common among Malay-speaking Christians in the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak.

Initially, the authorities said the Bibles would only be released if each copy was stamped with the phrase "For Christians Only" and assigned serial numbers. Under a revised offer, the phrase is modified to "For Christianity" and there is no serial number but this will have to apply to all future shipments.

The CFM, which represents 90 percent of the churches in the country, said importers would be allowed to decide whether to take up the revised offer but it called on the government to remove all obstacles against the importation and use of Malay language Bibles.

While Najib has pledged to win back the support of minorities, some in his United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), the linchpin of the ruling coalition, have cast this approach aside in a bid to woo conservative Malay Muslims.

The extent of minority discontent will be tested in the ruling coalition's bastion state of Sarawak on April 16.

Minority unhappiness over the Bible seizure row could help the opposition increase its tally of seats in the 71-seat Sarawak legislature to 18 from eight, said Ong Kian Ming, a political science professor at UCSI University.

[pywong]

31-03-2011
Hisham asks Christians to be ‘fair and reasonable’ over Alkitab (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/hisham-asks-christians-to-be-fair-and-reasonable-over-alkitab/)

Oops! Turned out that the party that was not fair and reasonable was the Home Ministry. But it's still 1Malaysia, 2Systems. See comment at bottom of article.

In any other advanced country in the world, the Minister in charge would have apologized and resign.

Where's the apology from Hishamuddin for this fiasco?

He should resign to take responsibility.

Putrajaya backs down over Alkitab for Sabah and Sarawak (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/putrajaya-backs-down-over-alkitab-for-sabah-and-sarawak/)
UPDATED @ 12:05:49 AM 03-04-2011
By Debra Chong
April 02, 2011

http://media.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/2011/april/02/alkitab-april2.jpg
The government has retracted all conditions previously imposed on the use of the Alkitab. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 – Faced with an unyielding Christian community days ahead of a crucial state poll in Sarawak, the federal government has retracted all conditions previously imposed on the use of Malay bibles there, but appear to have separate rules for believers on the other side of the South China Sea.


The Cabinet, through its Christian minister, Datuk Seri Idris Jala, offered today a new list of suggestions to put an end to the month-long stand-off, in a bid to head off a possible backlash against the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in Malaysia’s biggest and most Christian state on April 16.

Nearly half the state’s one million population is Christian.

In his media statement, Jala spelled out the government’s 10-point formula to pacify the minority Christians without incurring the anger of the majority Muslims over the religious controversy.

He said Christians in Sarawak and Sabah are free to bring in and use their bibles in Malay and various indigenous languages and no restriction will be applied.

But at the same time, a slightly different set of rules apply to Christians in Peninsular Malaysia.

According to Jala, this is because Muslims are the majority community on the peninsula, unlike in Borneo where they are the minority.

“Taking into account the interest of the larger Muslim community, for Peninsula Malaysia, Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia, imported or printed, must have the words ‘Christian Publication’ and the cross sign printed on the front covers,” he said in the statement.

Jala also said that the bible can now be printed locally in any language, including in Iban, Kadazan-Dusun and Lun Bawang.

However, he made no mention about the word “Allah”, which both Christians and Muslims view as being the crux of the Alkitab row.

He added that the federal government will reimburse the two bible importers over the markings carried out by Home Ministry officials, which the Christian community regard as desecration of their holy book.

Jala said that the Cabinet’s decision will be gazetted through the Home Ministry’s secretary-general to ensure the order is carried out and that action will be taken against civil officials who breach these directives.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will meet the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) to look for a way forward on outstanding religious issues beyond the bible row.

He added that Christian ministers in the Cabinet will also hold regular meetings with Christian groups to talk over religious issues.

“I hope this 10-point solution will be received positively by the Christian groups as being fair and reasonable,” Jala said in his statement, adding that the government was committed to a peaceful way out of the impasse.

He acknowledged that the government had handled the bible issue poorly but stopped short of offering an apology.

“I hope the Christians would find it in their hearts to forgive us,” he said.

“The Bible says in Matthew 18: 21-22, ‘Then Peter came to Jesus and asked: Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jala said, quoting from the Christian holy book.

“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times,” he concluded.

Last month, the Home Ministry drew flak from Christians after stamping and serializing 35,000 Malay bibles valued at about RM140,000, without the importers’ consent.

The CFM, the umbrella body that represents over 90 per cent of churches nationwide, have said they only wish for their constitutional rights to worship to be upheld.

In an immediate response, a CFM spokesman told The Malaysian Insider the Christian body welcomed “the government’s initiative”.

But the CFM executive council will have to hold another meeting to consider all viewpoints before deciding on the matter.

“It’s still a one-nation, two-state policy,” he said, pointing to the separate set of rules for Borneo and the peninsula.


Speaking on condition of anonymity, the insider noted that most of the points Jala had spelled out were not new as they were decisions agreed upon by both sides previously.

[pywong]

Understanding decision making process is important (http://wangsamajuformalaysia.blogspot.com/2011/04/understanding-decision-making-process.html)
Author: Lee Wee Tak | Posted at: Sunday, April 03, 2011 | Filed Under: Lee Wee Tak, Religion

Understanding decision making process is important for me, whether it is my spouse, boss, friends, clients etc. Understanding the decision making process of an elected administration is also vital because we will be going to the polls soon and their decision making process is critical to us making a call on whether they are indeed qualified to lead for another term in office.

Their decision making process is subject to the scrutiny of the Malaysian tax payers and business community, as well as foreign investors, entrepreneurs and analyst communities.

In today's the Star, we have this good piece of news, typical 1Malaysia Spirit:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/4/2/nation/20110402183658&sec=nation


Saturday April 2, 2011 MYT 8:02:57 PM
Govt allows import and local printing of Bible in all languages

PETALING JAYA: The Bible can now be imported into the country in all languages including Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and in the indigenous languages.

It can also be printed locally and there is no requirement for any stamp or serial number

4.For Sabah and Sarawak, in recognition of the large Christian community in these states, there are no conditions attached to the importation and local printing of the Bibles in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia and indigenous languages. There is no requirement for any stamp or serial number.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

However, reading up articles from the same controlled newspaper for the past few months, I am puzzled by the decision making process of this administration. I wish to make it very clear here that I am not writing from a religious angle, but looking solely at how the current administration make their decisions.


In January, the administration intends to contest the High Court's verdict in the Herald's usage of the word "Allah" and will keep the Rulers briefed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/3/nation/20100103183842&sec=nation

Sunday January 3, 2010 MYT 6:42:24 PM
Allah issue: PM urges calm while Govt appeals court’s decision

PEKAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak urged Muslims to remain calm over the High Court decision to allow the Catholic weekly, Herald, to use the word ‘Allah’ in its publication.

He said the Home Ministry would appeal the court’s decision and that he would keep the Rulers briefed.

The usage of the word Allah should be decided upon by the process of the law, he said.


.......

Najib, who is also Pekan MP, said he would brief Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on the matter soon and with his consent, the issue would be discussed at the coming Conference of Rulers.

He expressed the hope for the issue to be resolved in an "intelligent" manner through the process of the court.

"After all, there is still avenue to appeal against the judgment through the Courts of Appeal and Federal Court.

"We do not want issue to be blown out of proportion," he said, adding that the Government viewed the matter seriously and would adopt the proper channels to end the debacle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



In March, before the Sarawak State Assembly is dissolved, the current administration re-inforced its stance by issuing a reprimand letter to the same newspaper:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/3/16/nation/20110316073009&sec=nation

Wednesday March 16, 2011
The Star reprimanded over BM Bible story

PETALING JAYA: The Home Ministry has issued a letter of reprimand to The Star over an article on the impounding of 5,000 Bahasa Malaysia Bibles.

The letter, dated March 2011, was addressed to group chief editor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai on the article, published on March 9.

On the same day, a senior editor from the daily met officials from the ministry over the issue and the ministry’s comments were published the next day. In the letter, the ministry’s chief secretary Datuk Zaitun Abdul Samad reminded owners of printing presses to comply with directives from the ministry, a s stipulated under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

“Under items six and seven of the conditions of printing permits issuance, permit holders are required to observe instructions released by the ministry from time to time,” Zaitun said.

The March 9 article reported that 5,000 Bahasa Malaysia Bibles confiscated by the Home Ministry in 2009 have yet to be returned despite the Cabinet approving their release.

Minister Datuk Seri Hishammudd in Hussein explained on Sunday that the Bibles were impounded because of a pending court appeal by The Herald, the Malaysian Catholic weekly, over the use of the word Allah in its publication.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Has the current administration weaken their own appeal case by doing the announcements today? If yes, then tax payers' money spent of the appeal case is compromised,

Also, has the Rulers' been briefed as what the Prime Minister indicated during January? If this is part of the original plan, Idris Jala's announcement did not mention about this.

[pywong]

Sunday, 03 April 2011 14:14
Christians fear election bait, urge Najib to drop Allah appeal if sincere (http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=10014:christians-fear-election-bait-urge-najib-to-drop-allah-appeal-if-sincere&Itemid=2)
Written by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle


Fearing an election ploy, Christians leaders in Malaysia said the community must remain on guard until Prime Minister Najib Razak's government agrees to drop a court appeal against a ruling that the word Allah could be used by non-Muslims to describe God.

"We don't want to be election bait. The timing of the latest concession is suspicious and events can be overturned at any time until the Allah issue is resolved. If the federal government is sincere and wants inter-religious harmony to be lasting, they must do the right thing," Christian Federation of Malaysia member Rev Thomas Philips, who is also the president of religious organisation MCCBCHST, told Malaysia Chronicle.

Drop the Allah court appeal if sincere

In a late statement issued on Saturday, Minister in the PM's Department Idris Jala reversed the conditions placed on the release of some 35,100 copies of the Alkitab detained at the ports.

The Home Ministry had previously agreed to release the books on the condition that a serial number and the words "For Christians Only" were stamped on the face of the Bible. Amid Christian outrage, the serial number was dropped and the words changed to "For Christianity".

In Idris' latest 10-point plan to resolve the matter, the minister said only a 'cross' and the words "Christian Publication" would need to be stamped on the Alkitab circulated in West Malaysia, while no conditions would be placed on the books in East Malaysia.

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ8tkfiJBdGloLDIrzj4Xxc1mvfFMd1V QtS0Rc447bNMhalPxE6yg
"This is alright with us. In the spirit of give and take, if this helps to make Muslims in the country feel better, we are okay with it. It is a Christian publication and the cross is our sign. But it all goes back to the word Allah which is what the Alkitab uses to describe God," said Rev Thomas.

"But until the government drops the court appeal against the word Allah, we cannot rest assured that the dispute is over. We do not want a situation that when it is no longer to the benefit of the government, the Alkitab is again detained at the ports."

Christians told to unite and to remain vigilant

Various reasons have been given by Home Ministry officials including the concern that Muslims would be swayed and opt for conversion to Christianity if the Bible was available in the Malay language.

In fact, that was the basis for Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to appeal against a December 2009 High Court ruling that threw out his ministry's ban on non-Muslims using the word Allah.

The appeal has yet to be heard and if the Appeals Court decides in favour the government, the Alkitab will once again be 'illegal' material and its issuance subject to conditions.

Meanwhile, other Christian leaders called on the community to unite.

"We urge the Christians in Sabah and Sarawak to take heed of the court appeal over the word Allah," Ramon Navaratnam, past president of Transparency International, told Malaysia Chronicle.

"It will also affect them. Christians throughout Malaysia must be in solidarity with each other and together urge the federal government to respect not just the spirit but also the latter of law as wriiten in the Federal Constitution, the Sabah 20-point and the Sarawak 18-point agreements."

A man-made problem caused by selfish politicians

Christians form 10 per cent of the Malaysian population of 28 million. In Sarawak, where the 10th state election is due to be balloted on April 16, Christians form 43 per cent of the 2.5 million population.

The 18-point agreement refers to the treaty signed when Sarawak joined the Federation of Malaysian in 1963. There are specific clauses in the agreement guaranteeing freedom of religion.

The Federal Consitution adopted by Malaysia when it gained independence from British colonial rule in 1957 also contains the same freedom of religion.

But of late, Muslim officials have complained of conflicts of interest because certain state constitutions expressly forbade Muslims to use the word Allah.

However, experts have said the Federal Consitution was drafted earlier than any state consitution in the country and is the overruling law in the event of any differences.

"The current religious tensions in our country are man-made and politically inspired. The best way forward is that if any Muslim is caught reading the Bible, then he or she should be turned over to the Syariah courts for punishment based on Islamic law. That should be the way rather make the Christian Bible carry the brunt for any human misbehavior," said Ramon.

[pywong]

Sidang Injil Baru (SIB) Sarawak – Renewal Evangelical Mission of Sarawak

Surat Jemaat

Sunset during the Iban Gempuru Besai in Sri Aman Nov 2010 with map of Malaysia ablaze for the glory of God

Freedom of Religion

Saudara-saudara jemaat di tanah air tercinta Sarawak, yang menjadi umat Allah Bapa dan Tuhan Yesus Kristus. Kami mengharap semoga Allah memberi berkat dan sejahtera kepada kalian.

We praise God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ that Sarawak is the only Christian majority state in Malaysia where half the population are Christians. It is with our goodwill and blessings that we have allowed a Malay Muslim to be the Chief Minister of Sarawak since 1963 except for a brief period when a Christian held the position until he was unconstitutionally sacked in 1966 by the Federal government.

We also praise God that one in ten people in Malaysia are Christians. In fact, two thirds of the Christians are Malay speaking bumiputras in Sarawak and Sabah as well as Orang Asli in Malaya. We have been using the Malay Alkitab or the Iban Bup Kudus as our Holy Bible for generations.

Sarawak, together with Sabah, Singapore and Malaya formed Malaysia in 1963 under the Malaysia Agreement. Singapore left the federation two years later. Like the Malays, our special position as pribumis or natives is protected under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

Sarawak has made its position abundantly clear in what is known as the 18-points (20-points in for Sabah) in drafting the Malaysia Agreement. Point #1 was on freedom of religion: “While there was no objection to Islam being the national religion of Malaysia, there should be no state religion in Borneo (Sarawak and Sabah), and the provisions relating to Islam in the present Constitution of Malaya should not apply to Borneo.”

That was the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement even though this point was amended in the final draft.

East Malaysians were more than magnanimous in making this compromise to UMNO. But recent events have forced us to come to the conclusion that there is a sinister anti-Christian agenda by Barisan Nasional especially by UMNO and its proxies in Sarawak.

This is unconstitutional.

Bishop Ng Moon Hing, chairman of the Christian Federation of Malaysia pointed out in a statement on 10 March 2011 over the illegal confiscation of 35,000 copies of the Alkitab: “It would appear as if the authorities are waging a continuous, surreptitious and systematic programme against Christians in Malaysia to deny them access to the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia.”

We have shown great tolerance despite provocative actions against our faith by the ruling coalition.

But when the government desecrated 35,000 copies of our Alkitab which were illegally confiscated, it is our wake up-call to defend our constitutional right to profess, practise and propagate our faith.

We have been betrayed by Barisan Nasional. The incumbent Chief Minster and his cabinet, who have remained in office by our grace for 30 years, have proven to be incapable of defending freedom of religion in Sarawak. They, therefore, cannot expect to enjoy our trust in the coming state elections.

Even PAS, the Islamic Party, is against the position taken by the ruling coalition against the Alkitab and to prohibit bumiputra Christians from using the word Allah to refer to God.

We wish to make it clear that we are not against Islam but only against Barisan Nasional’s anti-Christian agenda, particularly the recent desecration of 35,000 copies of our Alkitab. They were unconstitutionally impounded by the Home Ministry.

Barisan’s anti-Christian agenda began when Dr Mahathir Mohamad became prime Minister in July 1981 when he banned the Alkitab under a Gazette Order made under the Internal Security Act in 1982. When Christians objected, he amended it to a “restricted ban” for use only in churches.

Despite this, various consignments of the Alkitab and Bahasa Christian publications were illegally confiscated by the Home Ministry by using the Publications and Printing Presses Act. The Bup Kudus or Iban Bible was banned in 2003 by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he was acting prime Minister and Internal Security Minister. He relented when faced with Iban anger.

Now under Prime Minister Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia, this harassment against the church and Christians continues unabated leading to the desecration of the 35,000 copies of the Alkitab by stamping it with serial numbers and the words “For Christianity Only.” We can never agree to this because the Bible is meant for anyone interested. Only criminals are identified by serial numbers.

It is not that we have not compromised for the sake of peace. We have even gone to the extent to imprint a large crucifix on the cover of Alkitab with the words “Penerbitan Kristian” or “Christian Publication” so that Muslims do not buy or receive the Alkitab by mistake.

The Alkitab and Bahasa Christian publications are now planced under the jurisdiction of the Qur’anic Text Division of the Home Ministry. The desecration of the Alkitab is done by this division.

The shortage of Alkitab in Sarawak, due to the ongoing illegal confiscation of our Holy Scriptures, has now reached a crisis. Our children and grandchildren have no access to them since birth.

The evidence before us is that Barisan Nasional is persisting in completely wiping out our Christian Heritage in Sarawak and Sabah by pursuing its unconstitutional and illegal anti-Christian agenda.

Sidang Injil Baru Sarawak, therefore, advises Christians to vote wisely in the coming state elections on 16 April 2011. You do not necessarily have to vote for the Opposition. Vote only for candidates, including those from Barisan Nasional, whom you feel can act with a clear conscience and integrity and a proven record of defending the freedom of religion.

Our Christian heritage is at stake. Act now. Vote wisely. Pray for divine intervention.

… time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

(Romans 13:11 NLT).

Kasih karunia dan damai sejahtera menyertai kamu.

Sidang Injil Baru (SIB) Sarawak
Sri Aman
30 Mar 2011

[pywong]

Half-baked cartoons trying to create something out of nothing.

UMNO's strategy:
Salami technique: One slice at a time, to create the Boiled Frog Syndrome.

When the people protest, pull back a bit and wait for the next opportunity to apply the screws. Squeeze twice and release once to make it appear as a concession.

They only understand the stick and that can be applied only once every 5 years. Miss that and we have to wait for another 5 years. But 5 years of continuous psychological warfare and propaganda can wear most people down.

Pembela mulls court action over '10-point solution'
(http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/160564)
Apr 4, 11 1:22pm

Coalition of Muslim groups Pembela has said it is mulling legal action over what it described as the 'Idris Jala Formula' over the Malay-language Bible issue that it alleged violated the federal constitution and national laws.

http://media1-cdn.malaysiakini.com/101/a272d450ade9471186c21881392c588d.jpg
These include articles 3 and 11 (4) of the constitution and sections 298 and 298A of the Penal Code over the position of Islam, the propagation of religions other than Islam, and the deliberate wounding of the religious sentiments of other persons.

"For this reason, the distribution of the Malay-language Bible is not a decision to be permitted (taken) so easily out of pressure from any quarters," said the group in a statement signed by its spokesperson Yusri Mohamad (right).

Yusri was referring to the 10-point solution proffered by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala on Saturday in which Christians groups are allowed to import the Bible in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia, without restriction.

These Bibles can also be printed locally in Peninsula Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, said Idris in a statement.

http://media1-cdn.malaysiakini.com/341/0b11441f078a37dc915195b2a3336e67.gif
While the formula allows for the unconditional dissemination in Sabah and Sarawak of the Al-Kitab, copies of the Al-Kitab meant for Peninsula Malaysia have to be stamped with the cross and have the words 'Christian Publication' on them.

Pembela, however, poured scorn over the proposal from Idris, decrying the latter's failure to consult with Islamic groups over the matter.

"The status of this decision (announced by Idris) is unclear and cloudy. We have been given the impression that Idris Jala and the Attorney-General's Chambers were given the lead (Over the issue).

"Discussions were also had only with the Christian Federation of Malaysia, while parties representing the voice of Muslims, whether within the government or (Islamic) groups were not taken into consideration.

"We would like to ask whether this is the government's new approach in dealing with religious issues?" Pembela said.

http://media1-cdn.malaysiakini.com/285/10d6c047d68efcef1abfac7df6fa2f03.jpg
The group also noted that the 'Idris Jala formula' did not indicate that the views of minister in charge of religious affairs Jamil Khir or minister in charge of national unity Koh Tsu Koon had been taken into consideration.

"Both these ministers are responsible for clarifying to groups and individuals who are members of the government's (Special Committee to Promote Inter-Religious Harmony and Understanding (SCPIRHU).

"Why was this avenue (for discussions) sidelined in tackling this issue?"

It had earlier been announced that 5,000 copies of the Malay-language Bible Al-Kitab impounded at Port Klang would be released to its importer, the Bible Society of Malaysia, after they had been stamped 'For Christians Only' and serialised by the Home Ministry.

Following an outcry over what it described was a desecration of their holy scriptures, Jala announced a change of wording to 'For Christianity' and gave Christians the option of either collecting the Bible or ordering new copies, both of which costs would be borne by 'Christian donors'.

Addressing the offer subsequently, the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) said the proposal did not address "the substantive issues" at stake over restrictions of Christians to practice their religion.

This led to Jala's (above) announcement on Saturday that all restrictions on imports and printing of the Bible had been lifted.

http://media1-cdn.malaysiakini.com/328/91bd35fdbbf5d08c01b235a4ff1533f3.JPG
Yesterday, however, Catholic Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing (left) denounced the offer as "insidious" and "evil" for effectively imposing two sets of rules - one for Sabah and Sarawak and the other for Peninsular Malaysia - with regard to the dissemination of the Malay Bible.

On its part, Pembela insisted that the debacle was due to groups that was seeking to force the government into bowing to its demands by means of "confrontations, manipulation and pressure".

As such, Jala's 'formula' reflects an "unhealthy trend" and an encouragement for such groups to achieve its aims by more tactics of confrontation, manipulation and pressure even went in conflict with the federal constitution, national laws, history and the culture of the nation.

"Therefore, Pembela calls for a review of the Idris Jala formula and its streamlining in accordance with the laws and the understanding reached between religious and ethnic communities.

"Because this issue has to do with the position of Islam and Muslims, the representatives of the Muslim community need to be taken into consideration to reach a more accurate formula.

"If these demands are not heeded, Pembela will consider challenging the 'Idris Jala formul' in court."

Bible impasse: CCM youth reject 10-point proposal

'Stop speculating on Al Kitab issue'

---------- Post added at 09:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:34 AM ----------

Bible impasse: CCM youth reject 10-point proposal (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/160599)

Hazlan Zakaria
Apr 4, 11

The youth wing of the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) today rejected outright the government's 10-point proposal to appease Christians in Sabah and Sarawak over restrictions on the publication and import of the Bible.

The movement made this known in a tweet this morning:

"Say NO to 10-pointers. Malaysian Christians want FULL FREEDOM, FULL RIGHTS to practise their faith."

Contacted by Malaysiakini, CCM youth secretary Daniel Chai explained: "We don't agree with the suggestions because they represent no firm commitment from the government. We shall continue to observe and see how things develop."

Last Saturday, the government through Pemandu CEO Idris Jala issued a list of 10 proposals calculated to salve Christian anger after 30,000 imported copies of the Bible in the Malay language were impounded by the customs in Kuching and another 5,000 copies were seized in Port Klang.

http://media1-cdn.malaysiakini.com/231/b37b53d371ae0cad8563186e294202f3.jpeg
But the suggestions delivered by Idris, who is a Christian despite his Malay-sounding name, were met with scepticism by Christian and church groups, which said they have received similar assurances from the BN government before, prior to the seizures of the Bible.

They expressed fears that the government was only trying to "buy them over" for the Sarawak election and that it would and go back on its word after that.

Meanwhile, in a more pointed move, the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship Malaysia, a coalition of Christian evangelists formed amidst concerns over the right of Christians to have access to the Bible in the Malay language, have organised a prayer session they hope will influence the election of a Sarawak government that will be more favourable to their plight.

The coalition, which also pledged to represent the Christian community on issues and matters affecting the Church and society at large, is made up of more than 15 Christian and church groups. It members include the Salvation Army, Sidang Injil Borneo and the Baptist Church.

Prayers for Sarawak and its people

"As we draw nearer to the Sarawak state election, more calls for prayers have been sounded out. The Sarawak Ministers Fellowship has issued a call for a 12-day prayer," NECF executive secretary for Prayer, Rev Andy Chi, wrote on the website.

http://media1-cdn.malaysiakini.com/258/0f1fda766f281f8e9da3d2630ea737f6.JPG
He explained that the body was mobilising churches and intercessors to cover Sarawak in prayer in preparation for their coming state election.

"We would like to stand together with our Sarawak brethren in prayer as they face their state election. We believe through united prayer, we can alter the course of a people," the reverend added.


Chi said the prayers, to cover all 31 parliamentary and 71 state seats in Sarawak and last 12 days from tomorrow until Sarawakians go to the polls on April 16, will be to:

Give thanks to God for His love for Sarawak and for blessing us with abundance of resources, no natural disasters, peace and harmony amongst people of many races and religions;

Pray for the coming state election for a peaceful, free and fair event, with good weather, good voter turnout as our people carry out their responsibilities as good citizens of the state to vote for leaders who are capable, God-fearing, full of integrity and hate dishonest gains;

Pray for the incoming state government (to be) one that will love and take care of the people, is righteous and just, full of wisdom to bring development and take care of the poor, needy and marginalised;

Pray for the people of Sarawak, that they will be good and responsible citizens, law abiding, respectful of the government, love one another and live in peace and harmony with one another; and
Pray for religious freedom in Sarawak and Malaysia, that God will grant our authorities much wisdom, justice and fairness in upholding constitutional freedom of religion for our multiracial, multi-religious nation.

---------- Post added at 09:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 AM ----------

The asshole and the cartoon. Search for them in this article.

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'Stop speculating on Al Kitab issue' (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/160585)

Hafiz Yatim
Apr 4, 11

Nothing has been finalised on the Malay language Bible row and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein wants the people to stop speculating on the issue until the matter is considered resolved.

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Until all parties are willing to sit down and discuss the matter and a solution arrived at and presented to him, Hishammuddin said, members of the public should refrain from speculating and commenting as this would only worsen relations between Christians and Muslims.

This comes despite Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala last Saturday revealing a 10-point solution to the controversy over the Bible in the Malay language.

"Nothing has been finalised yet on this matter. I would advise the people against speculating on the issue as this will affect relations.

"Nothing has been presented to me (as home minister). Unless the parties can sit down and find an amicable solution, and this solution is presented to me, and until then the people should not speculate further," Hishamuddin said.

He also said the Allah case was still pending in court.


'Allah issue also remains uncertain'

The minister said he was uncertain whether the Church was withdrawing its case or the Attorney-General's Chambers was withdrawing its appeal on the matter.

"As the situation remains uncertain, and as I have emphasised, do not speculate. I do not want to comment further on the matter for fear of upsetting the Christians or Muslims," he said.

The government, he said, was taking a step-by-step approach in addressing the issue, and that there was no use of the people commenting further on the matter.

"Let the discussions be held further and wait for the outcome."

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Last Saturday, Idris (right) said Christian groups have been allowed to import the Bible in all languages, including Bahasa Malaysia/Bahasa Indonesia, without restriction and that the Bible could also be printed locally in Peninsular Malaysia.

The Al-Kitab issue has been a contentious matter following the seizure of more than 30,000 copies of the Bible in Kuching Port and in Port Klang.

Although the government has lifted the ban, the home ministry's action in stamping the words "Fopr Chistrians Only" and serial numbers on the impounded copies of the Bible has been criticised as desecration of the Holy Book.

Idris' statement has further put a spin on the government's stand following Hishammuddin's revelation today that nothing had been finalised in resolving the row over the Malay language Bible, which are largely used by Christians in Sabah and Sarawak.

There is also concern that this controversy could have an impact on the Sarawak state election which will be held on April 16.

[pywong]

Nationwide prayer rallies for Sarawak begin (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/04/06/nationwide-prayer-rallies-for-sarawak-begin/)
Stephanie Sta Maria | April 6, 2011

Christians across Malaysia are praying for the freedom to practise their faith as the Sarawak state election kicks off.

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KUCHING: Four church networks across East and West Malaysia began a 12-day prayer rally for religious freedom in Sarawak on the eve of nomination day in the state’s 10th election.

The rallies will continue at different churches each night until Sarawakians go to the polls on April 16.

Last night, some 1,000-odd Christians filled the halls of three churches here as the rallies were carried out in English, Bahasa Melayu (BM) and Mandarin respectively.

Dayaks and a smattering of Indians packed the Good News Fellowship (GNF) where the rally was held in BM, while foreigners joined the predominantly Chinese crowd at the English language rally in Calvary Church. The Blessed Church also drew in a big crowd with the prayers conducted in Mandarin.

“The Sarawak network alone has 100 churches,” Pastor Jeff Wei of GNF told FMT.

“We’re not sure how many churches the other three networks have but the numbers are big. And we’re all praying together for a singular purpose.”

Just last month nearly 3,000 Christians came together in Sarawak’s biggest and first prayer rally to focus on religious freedom.

The massive turnout was sparked by the home ministry’s previous insistence that the Al-Kitab (Malay language bibles) be stamped with the words “For Christians Only” and marked with a serial number.

Over the weekend, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Idris Jala, announced a new 10-point formula that dropped all conditions on the use and distribution of the Al-Kitab in Sabah and Sarawak.

Not over yet

The next day, however, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein stated that the 10 points were still open to debate.

“The battle isn’t over yet,” Wei said.

“But many Christians in Sarawak are rejoicing because they are not aware of Hishammuddin’s statement. So we will be updating them during the rallies.”

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/daron-tan.jpg
The chairman of the Kuching Ministers Fellowship (KMF), Daron Tan, agreed: “The Sarawakians Christians see the matter as already resolved without realising that certain key problems were not addressed.”

“One of those is the word ‘Allah’ which is the crux of this matter. So until today we have yet to see a united front from the government where this matter is concerned.”

Despite their impassioned stand both pastors led the rallies in prayer rather than political propaganda.

They focused the sessions on five prayer points – Sarawak, the state election, the incoming government, the people of Sarawak and religious freedom in Sarawak and Malaysia.

“There has been a great awakening among Sarawakians in the past few years and the Christians are no longer concerned only with the after-life,” said Tan.

“They now understand how the state has an impact on religion.”

Taib never ‘heavy-handed’

Pastor Matthew Ling further explained that there has been such a rumbling among the Christians that the church risked becoming irrelevant if it chose to remain silent.

“Christians have begun to ask if the role of the church is to be concerned solely with spiritual issues,” he said.

“Sarawakians in general are a very tolerent society but circumstances have pushed us to speak up now.”

Tan attributed this tolerance to the fact that Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud had always upheld religious freedom in the state.

“Despite whatever that is said of Taib, he has never once been heavy-handed with the Christians,” he said.

“We have always appreciated the state government for that. Our disappointment in Taib is that he bowed to the federal government on this issue.”

[pywong]

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Christian group rejects Idris Jala's 10-point solution (http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/161024)

Apr 8, 11 8:16pm

In a lengthy 10-point statement, the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) Youth did not mince its words in dismissing the 10-point solution offered by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala.

It said that the "quick-fix" proposal ignored the "the overt and covert manner which the government had discriminated against the Christian citizenry for close to 40 years".

The following is CCM Youth's press release expressing its views in response to the various statements issued by the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF), the 10-point solution as proposed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala, and comments made in the media by the Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and various parties.

1. 10-point proposal only addressed the Al Kitab issue

The 10-Point Proposal presumed that Christians were only concerned with the Al Kitab issue. That premise is incorrect.

The 10-Point Proposal distracted both the public and the church leaders from getting to the heart of the matter, that is, the concern over the overt and covert manner which the government had discriminated against the Christian citizenry for close to 40 years that had resulted in the gradual deterioration of basic rights of Christians to freely exercise their faith.

2. Restore full rights and full freedom enshrined in the federal constitution

CCM Youth denounced deplorable accusations that Christians were not being “fair” or “reasonable” in resolving the Al Kitab matter. CCM Youth disclosed that the Malaysian government had unreasonably and unjustly acted in bad faith since the early 1970s to-date against the Christian community. Among some examples were:

* Gradual erosion of the control of mission schools which included even the physical removal of words such as “Holy” and crosses from schools, even though the land, building and board of governors belonged to the church;

* Removing or disallowing “Christian Fellowships” from being recognised as societies in schools and universities;

* Harassing and transferring out Christian teachers found teaching Bible Knowledge, a legitimate examinable subject for the SPM;

* Gazetting the Al Kitab, the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia, as a threat to national security under the Internal Security Act;

* Denying the use of the word 'Allah' for the Christian God, even though it had been used by indigenous groups way before independence, and being the only Muslim country in the world to do so despite wide Arab usage;

* Denying Christians land to operate churches or cemeteries.

And the list goes on.

CCM Youth was saddened that Christians today were openly abused, harassed and provoked in the media and encouraged by the government, with all sorts of erroneous information being placed on official government websites put up as decrees; linking activities from Valentine's Day to 'poco-poco' to crosses on football jerseys, to Christian beliefs without so much as a dialogue or a clarification with the Christian community.

So much so that even the Islamic government machinery, with nods from cabinet ministers, the Home Ministry and state governments, unashamedly encouraged over-zealous religious officers and Islamic-based NGOs, to propagate and sow seeds of hatred towards the Christian community.

CCM Youth was informed that recently a group of students went for an excursion to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and were denied entry just because their uniform had a cross.

After so many years of racial-religious polarisation under the hands of government machinery, religious and racial bigotry is now blatantly practised and widely nurtured in government departments against Christians.

CCM Youth believed that the 10-Point Proposal was superfluous as Christian citizens were not asking for anything extra, but for their basic constitutional rights, enshrined in the Federal Constitution, to be respected and honoured.

3. Christians' birthright to read, speak and write in the national language

CCM Youth opined that it was ludicrous to deny Malaysian Christian citizens the right to use the country's national language for the purposes of exercising their faith.

On the one hand, non-Malay citizens are often criticised for their purported lack of loyalty when they did not speak Bahasa Malaysia, but when they did, like in this case in order to read the Bible, which they had been doing for generations, they were denied that right.

CCM Youth reiterated that as citizens of this country, it was their God-given birthright, which “should not be given up, negotiated, traded away, nor 'sold for a bowl of pottage'”, being simply rushed into just because Christian leaders were offered a “quick-fix” solution to the immediate problems that were originally created by unjust parties.

4. The 10-point proposal does not carry the weight of law

CCM Youth decried attempts to create a 'band-aid' compromise solution that did not carry the weight of law. If the government were truly sincere, there would not be a need for a 10-Point Proposal.

Insofar as this matter was concerned, all the government needed to do was to instruct the Home Ministry to drop its appeal on the 'Allah' issue, which the Catholic Church won on Dec 31, 2009 when it took the case to the High Court. This action would immediately lead to the withdrawal of the Allah and the Al Kitab from any further restrictions in the country.

CCM Youth urged the government to uphold democratic principles and not play games by taking a round-about route that did not reflect their sincerity.

5. 10-point proposal sows disunity amongst Christians

The 10-Point Proposal served only to promote disunity amongst Christians, playing to the ruling government's 'divide-and-rule' tune. CCM Youth questioned how it could be plausible for a 1Malaysia, yet a 2Bible and 3Rule solution?

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If at all, it only cemented CCM Youth's opinion that 1Malaysia had been nothing but political rhetoric.

If Christian leaders had agreed to this proposal, the Orang Asal of Sabah and Sarawak would have one rule; while believers in the peninsula, including the Orang Asli, would have another rule.

Should Christians subject themselves to such confusion and be manipulated to accept such terms? Likewise, by agreeing to such terms now, would Christians then forfeit the right to resolve future outstanding matters beyond the Al Kitab issue?

6. No guarantee that pledges or assurances will be honoured

Time and time again, the Christian community have been given assurances but only to be disappointed later on. CCM Youth urged church leaders to be wise, for what had been dressed as compromise could turn out to be an entrapment – “Even the elect were deceived, if that were possible.”

CCM Youth pointed out that they were well aware that there were many obstacles ahead, and they understood the “card game was in the hands” of the government.

Even if the federal government gave the impression of giving way, they could fall back on the state government machinery that would kick in and take that to another gear which involved harassing book stores, printers, forwarding agents, schools and so on, located in affected states.

7. The tipping point - today's decision will impact future generations

CCM Youth urged church leaders to take their time and not to be in a hurry. It was imperative that they did not fail future generations, or act in a manner that could adversely undermine or enslave future generations from practising their faith freely.

CCM Youth urged church leaders to remain faithful and to take as much time as they needed to ponder and to ask pertinent questions without compromising the faith.

Otherwise, future generations would return to remind past generations of leaders of "compromises" made today, or that the church leaders held silent when they could have spoken up, having restrained themselves from pursuing justice when they had the opportunity to do so.

CCM Youth urged church leaders not to worry about having to come to a decision by the CFM's Biennial General Meeting on April 14, 2011, but to take ample time to pray and seek the Lord before coming to a decision.

CCM Youth reminded church leaders that even the youths today were still learning the full extent of the rights that had been eroded to-date as events unfolded, and CCM Youth would endeavour to support church leaders to their best of abilities to recover that which was lost, and hand over full freedom to future generations as their legacy.

8. Are we speaking to the right party with the authority?

With due respect to Senator Idris Jala, CCM Youth raised concerns that there were no assurances that he had the full weight of the cabinet behind him in this regard, given the underlying tones and lack of media support from cabinet ministers. Even the prime minister himself had been strangely silent.

From remarks given by the home minister and various “shadow gatekeepers”, there had been no assurance that the relevant ministries would honour any form of agreement. What remained consistent so far had been the consistency of the government's inconsistencies. The danger of flip-flops was not a probability, but a given.

CCM Youth believed that this rush to force a solution was inadvertently linked to the outcome of the Sarawak elections and the potential impact from its Christian majority population.

CCM Youth observed that it was this careless 'short-term opportunistic' attitude of the government for political expediency that had made them wary of such overtures and advised church leaders to exercise greater caution under such circumstances.

If the government were sincere in addressing the grievances of the Christian community, CCM Youth believed that nothing less than the coming together of a task force from the Prime Minister's Department, the Home Ministry, the attorney-general, the Education Ministry and all state governments and Islamic departments had to take place.

9. Sorry seems to be the hardest word

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CCM Youth pointed out that it was Idris Jala (centre) who apologised.

So far, no official statement of apology had been offered by any ministry, especially none was forthcoming from the home minister, the main protagonist who directed the stamping of the Bibles.

The public ought to know that this entire episode of the desecration of the Christian's Holy Scriptures happened during the holy month of Lent which precedes and commemorates the Lord Jesus Christ's crucifixion and celebrates His resurrection.

If an opportunity presented itself for reconciliation and restoration to properly right the grave wrong committed, CCM Youth would certainly offer forgiveness. Obviously, the situation had yet to present itself.

10. Christian cabinet ministers must take leadership

CCM Youth noted that except for Idris Jala, many Christian cabinet ministers have kept silent. One cabinet minister even called Christians foolish for holding prayer rallies. CCM Youth challenged cabinet ministers to be faithful and to choose today whom they served - whether God or man.

CCM Youth reiterated that they were not being unreasonable, audaciously demanding or stirring trouble. CCM Youth regretted that for a long time, the church had remained silent, having compromised when it should not have.

In good faith, church leaders had been drawn into endless unproductive closed-door meetings, given verbal promises and handshake agreements that never materialized.

Unfortunately for the church, Christian goodwill had not been reciprocated, and closed door agreements never honoured. The recent desecration of the Al Kitab was the last straw.

CCM Youth called upon all Christians today to rally firmly behind their Christian leaders as they worked towards a resolution for the community. CCM Youth urged the Christian community to uphold their leaders in prayer more fervently.

CCM Youth reiterated that they remained committed to nation-building and bringing about justice, peace and reconciliation for all Malaysians and migrants, and would stop at nothing to bring about change for the betterment of all peoples regardless of creed, race or religion, through proclaiming truth and bringing about justice and transformation to the nation.

60 comments

[pywong]

Don’t test patience of Malays, Perkasa warns Christians (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/dont-test-patience-of-malays-perkasa-warns-christians/)
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
April 10, 2011

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The Perkasa chief accused Christians of exploiting sensitive issues ahead of the Sarawak elections.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 — Christians should be wary of making unreasonable demands such as asking that bibles be printed in Bahasa Malaysia, Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali said today.


The Malay rights group president said that Malays have been patient for “far too long” and have allowed non-Malays to make excessive demands.

“How many Malays are Christian? Why do you have to have bibles in Bahasa? Why not use bahasa Iban, or Kadazan?

“This is a problem of national security ... we (Malays) have been far too giving, I want to remind them to not be excessive in their demands,” said Ibrahim.

“They are not the majority of the country,” he stressed.

The Pasir Mas MP said that the reason why the Christian community were making demands now was because Sarawak elections were underway.

“They are taking advantage of the elections, they raise these things and we cannot object ... they are trying to exploit sensitive issues,” added Ibrahim.

“We have not brought up the issue of our rights,” he said.

Christian groups have been locked in a dispute with the government over the usage of Malay language bibles, or Alkitab, and over the 35,000 new copies that have been impounded in Kuching and Port Klang by the home ministry.

The ministry then allowed the bibles to be released on condition of being stamped with serial numbers and the phrase “For Christians only”. Christian groups had initially refused to abide by these conditions and have not collected the copies.

The Najib administration said yesterday that the Malay bible importers have now agreed to collect the 35,000 copies impounded in Port Klang and Kuching.

However, the importers of the books in Port Klang have said the bibles will not be sold or distributed, but will be preserved as museum pieces to illustrate what Christians have called the “defacement” of their holy book.

Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam said the 10-point solution proposed last week had “paved the way” for the importers, Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) and The Gideons, to collect the books.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein himself had also been quoted as saying that the latest move was a “positive response” to the Cabinet’s collective decision in drawing up the 10-point solution.

[pywong]

This controversy started on 4th May 2011. Tactic: Tyranny of the Majority. This is so 1970's. Surely they can come up with a brighter tactic than this.


Pembela has never officially said it is willing to 'shed blood against Christians', as stated in the police report, he said.

"But perhaps during the peaceful demonstrations there were harsh words said, which is normal in a demonstration. You can't expect us to berbalas pantun.Interpretation: Harsh words uttered during a demonstration organised by us, is not our responsibility.

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Islam's position under siege in M'sia, warns Pembela (http://malaysiakini.com/news/163191)

http://www-cdn.malaysiakini.com/v6/media/authors/50x50/Aidila-Razak-50x50.jpgAidila Razak
May 4, 11
12:13pm
10 friends can read this story for free
The Coalition of Muslim Organisations (Pembela) has claimed that the position of Islam in Malaysia is under siege.


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Speaking to reporters today, spokesperson Yusri Mohamad (left) said this is particularly in relation to recent developments in Islam-Christian affairs.

Specifically, he cited the designation of a non-Muslim affairs exco in Penang and the 'pseudo-appointment' of Christian Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala to handle issues pertaining the Malay-language Bible as threatening Islam's position as the official religion.

He claimed there is no provision in the federal constitution for any official non-Muslim affairs body, and that making Idris the go-to minister for Christian affairs is thus unconstitutional.

"There is a (threat). These sorts of threats come in seasons but now have become more serious and are putting a lot of pressure on the way we deal with issues pertaining to Islam,” he said.

"Islam is the official religion and is a pillar of our nation, but attempts are being made to make its position equal to other religions.

"Followers of other religions are portrayed as marginalised and oppressed...Islam and Muslims are dressed in an ugly mask and is made to seem guilty so that they give in (to demands)."

The fact that Idris (right) was appointed to handle the Al Kitab issue was also wrong, he said, since Idris cannot be said to be non-partisan because he is Christian. http://media1-cdn.malaysiakini.com/207/4093cf72ffd4e12ef1893616729dd938.jpg

"He says he is non-partisan politically but this is a religious issue, and he is partisan. As we understand it, the (10-point proposal) was produced without consultation with the Fatwa Council, religious scholars and Muslim NGOs," he said.

Instead, he said the matter should have been handled by two ministers in the Prime Minister's Department - Jamil Khir Baharom who is in charge of Islamic affairs, and Koh Tsu Koon who is in charge of national harmony.

"We feel that the government can act within their powers...but Christian groups are now using terms like 'deface' and 'desecration' which is pushing the issue ... out of hand," he said.

As such, Pembela, a coalition of about 80 NGOs, will be hosting a conference on Saturday to discuss the issue of the sovereignty of Islam in Malaysia.

Themed 'Islam under siege: What will we do?', the event will be open to all Muslim NGOs and will feature a forum on the topic.

Among the topics to be discussed are the Al Kitab, conversions to Islam, religious freedom and the way such matters are handled by the government.

"We hope to then take the outcome of our discussion to the cabinet, prime minister, Rulers Council, political parties and mufti," he said.
When contacted, Koh and Idris declined to comment. Jamil Khir reserved comment, as he is currently overseas.

Pembela not 'extremist'

Commenting on a police report recently lodged by a Christian against Pembela, Yusri said said the coalition is not an extremist group as perceived.

"We feel that the police report was a way to blow up the issue. Pembela has been around for a while and anyone who does a background check will find that we are not an extremist group," he said.

Pembela has never officially said it is willing to 'shed blood against Christians', as stated in the police report, he said.

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"But perhaps during the peaceful demonstrations there were harsh words said, which is normal in a demonstration. You can't expect us to berbalas pantun.

"It is wrong to say that our movement is a threat to our non-Muslim friends," he said.

He added that police had contacted Pembela a week after the report to ask for recordings and materials distributed during the demonstration in March to assist in their investigation.

"No member (has been) called for questioning," he added.

[pywong]

Islam under siege? Yes, but not by non-Muslims
May 5, 11 9:25am

'The 'sumpah laknat' show masjids are blatantly abused to achieve Umno's ulterior motives. It's Umno and Jawi that allow such institutions to be used.' http://malaysiakini.com/news/163276

..................................

Study the long-term trends and the picture becomes clearer - 50 Years of Mal-Islamisation: http://www.tindakmalaysia.com/showthread.php/2669-Religion-Surely-not-another-50-years-of-Islamisation?p=8766#post8766

.....................................

PEMBELA: We must create imaginary enemies to drive the Malays back to the arms of UMNO.

Pembela: Christianity biggest 'threat' to Islam (http://malaysiakini.com/news/163494)

Even that moron Hisham is jumping in on the act. Use your brains. How can 10% of the population force the rest of the country to adopt Christianity as the official religion?

Christianity agenda a serious matter, warns Hisham. (http://malaysiakini.com/news/163498)


.........................................

Goebbels, Hitler's Minister of Propaganda: Repeat a lie enough times and eventually people will accept it as the truth.


Perkasa to lodge reports nationwide

In Tumpat, Malay rights group Perkasa said it would lodged police reports nationwide over the alleged attempt to make Christianity the official religion of the federation.

Its president Ibrahim Ali said until this evening, 10 police reports had been lodged, urging the authority to investigate the matter.

"This is about sensitivity and this is very serious. Perkasa calls on the police to investigate this.

"If it is true as reported, then Perkasa is very disappointed because this is about religion, a very sensitive issue," he told reporters

..........................................

Theme of the Fortnight: Christian and DAP-bashing

– What are the tactics? Use bullying methods and threats to cow the opposition and the Churches into silence. It has always worked in the past, maybe not this time.

http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11974%3Aka-siong-dap-is-the-real-practitioner-or-racial-politics&Itemid=2

http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11978%3Amaking-christianity-the-official-religion%3F&Itemid=2

http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11981%3Adap-wants-to-make-christianity-the-official-religion-of-malaysia%3F&Itemid=2

http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11982%3Achristianity-biggest-threat-to-islam-says-muslim-ngo-pembela&Itemid=2

http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11980%3Aanwar-utusan-has-crossed-the-line-in-christian-pm-report&Itemid=2

http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11984%3Ahisham-agenda-to-make-christianity-official-religion-serious-matter&Itemid=2

http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11985%3Ausurping-islam-perkasa-lodges-police-report&Itemid=2

---------- Post added at 03:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:58 PM ----------

Masterwordsmith's point of view:

Truth Please, NOT Distortions of Reality! (http://masterwordsmith-unplugged.blogspot.com/2011/05/truth-please-not-distortions-of-reality.html)

Simply said, it is all part of psychological warfare being waged by the Ruling Class against the Rats. We only need to develop the wisdom to recognize such tactics being used.

...................................

First they have grainy porn videos. Now grainy photos. What will they think of next?

To back up their allegation, the bloggers pointed to a grainy photograph showing what they described as a secret pact between the DAP and pastors at a closed-door dinner party in a Penang hotel on Wednesday. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/catholic-clergy-wants-action-against-baseless-provocative-utusan-report/

[pywong]

Bishop warns of ‘new McCarthyism’ (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/05/08/bishop-warns-of-%E2%80%98new-mccarthyism%E2%80%99/)

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bishop-paul-tan.jpg

RK Anand | May 8, 2011

The Catholic Church leader slams politicians who engage in witch-hunts and scaremongering to divert attention from their woes.

PETALING JAYA: Catholic Church leader Bishop Paul Tan has lashed out at politicians who engage in witch-hunts and scaremongering as diversions from their sinking popularity.

The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia also warned of the rise of a “new McCarthyism” in Malaysia.

Tan was responding to the allegations that Christian groups were out to undermine the status of Islam as the official religion.

“The last time a calumny like this was visited on Malaysian Christians was in the early 1970s when a past president of PAS described us as a greater national security threat than the Communists,” he said.

“Fortunately, that was a lone instance and reflected one individual’s fevered imagination.
“But now we see various groups of politicians intent on resurrecting this bogey to divert attention from the problem of their slumping popularity,” he added.

Tan said instead of dealing with the obvious causes of their sinking popularity, like widespread corruption, racism and intolerable economic inequities, these politicians engage in witch-hunts against assorted scapegoats.

“It appears their flavor of the month is the Christians whom these scaremongers have rounded on and perhaps now regard as a soft target,” he added.

The Bishop warned that Christians would not be daunted by the “rise of this new McCarthyism in Malaysian society” where everyone else was blamed except those most culpable for the worrisome situation.

“In the face of demagogic threats to their loyalty to the country and the Federal Constitution, Christians must renew their determination to join people of goodwill to tackle the country’s manifold problems which have arrived at a level responsible citizens find deeply unsettling,” he asserted.

He urged Christians to make fidelity to the Federal Constitution a touchstone of their faith in the country and its future.

McCarthyism explained


According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it is a mid-20th century political attitude characterized chiefly by opposition to elements held to be subversive and by the use of tactics involving personal attacks on individuals by means of widely publicized indiscriminate allegations especially on the basis of unsubstantiated charges. Wikipedia says it was originally coined to criticize the anti-communist pursuits of US Senator Joseph McCarthy, ‘McCarthyism’ soon took on a broader meaning, describing the excesses of similar efforts. The term is also now used more generally to describe reckless, unsubstantiated accusations, as well as demagogic attacks on the character or patriotism of political adversaries

[pywong]

In the realms of psychological warfare, we have to ask ourselves: Are the BN poodles playing "Good cop, bad cop"?

What’s wrong with Christian PM, asks BN minister (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/whats-wrong-with-christian-pm-asks-bn-minister/)


Monday, 09 May 2011

By Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/2011/may/09/1malaysia.jpg

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — Barisan Nasional (BN) Cabinet member Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said today there was nothing wrong with a Christian prime minister, pointing out the country’s highest law has never made race or religion a criteria.

The plantation, industries and commodities minister is the first member of the Najib administration to point out that the idea of having a non-Muslim and non-Malay as prime minister was not against the Constitution.

The president of the United Pasokmomogun Kadazan Dusun Murut Organisation (Upko), a component party in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), said the Federal Constitution “does not stipulate the religious affiliation of the prime minister”.
He added that the law clearly stated the only qualification to be PM was the latter’s ability to command the confidence of the majority of the Members of Parliament.
“If an Iban, a Bidayuh, a Kadazandusun, Murut, Kelabit, a Chinese or Indian Malaysian can satisfy the provision of Article 43 of the Constitution, he can be the prime minister of the country,” Dompok stressed in a statement.

“As for the question of a Christian prime minister, what is wrong with that, although I do not see this happening in Malaysia,” he said.

The 61-year old Sabahan waded into the ongoing controversy first raised by Utusan Malaysia in its report of a presumed secret plot to install a Christian as prime minister, which the Umno-owned paper claimed is unconstitutional.

Dompok said the position of Islam is enshrined in the Constitution and has been accepted without question by all Malaysians of every religious belief.
The Malay daily carried a front-page article on Saturday claiming the DAP was conspiring with Christian leaders to take over Putrajaya and abolish Islam as the country’s official religion.

The report, based entirely on blog postings by several pro-Umno bloggers, charged the DAP with sedition for allegedly trying to change the country’s laws to allow a Christian prime minister, pointing to a grainy photograph showing what they described as a secret pact between the opposition party and pastors at a hotel in Penang on Wednesday.
Today, Dompok slammed the paper for publishing such reports without checking for facts and observed it was promoting an unhealthy trend.

“How can a national newspaper not only print but sensationalise something written by a blogger? It is the height of irresponsibility,” he said.

He added that Christian churches have been “a responsible group even at the worst of times”.

[pywong]

To understand the strategy, watch where the interests lie. Who will benefit in the event of civil unrest? That will point the finger to who and why some bodies are so keen to create such controversies.

BN to blame for any attack against Christians, says DAP (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/bn-to-blame-for-any-attack-against-christians-says-dap/)

By Clara Chooi May 09, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — The DAP warned Barisan Nasional (BN) today that it will have to bear responsibility for any undesirable consequences that may befall the Christian community resulting from its endorsement of Utusan Malaysia’s Christian Malaysia reports.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the ruling pact has deliberately refused to punish the Umno-owned daily for propagating its “hate campaign of lies” against the Christian community.

“By failing to stop the Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia from continuing this hate campaign of lies, the BN government is inciting hate against the minority Christian community.

“DAP expresses grave concern that this hate campaign against Christians by Utusan Malaysia may not just stop at verbal attacks.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/mugshots/limguaneng400px-2.jpg

“The BN government has to bear full responsibility for any undesirable consequences on the Christian community in Malaysia based on Utusan's hate campaign of lies,” Lim (picture) said in a statement today.

The Penang chief minister also criticised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for promising to probe the report without stating that action would be taken against the daily for reporting false news.

“Clearly, the BN government has not only failed to stop Utusan Malaysia from continuing with such baseless attacks but has even encouraged them by promising action against Christian pastors and the DAP if found to be true.

“Why has the BN government not promised to take stern action against Utusan Malaysia when Utusan’s lies are exposed?” he asked.

Lim questioned if Utusan Malaysia now enjoys full immunity to spread unqualified allegations without facing the possibility of being punished for false reporting.

“It is utterly irresponsible of Umno to play with fire by spreading such lies through their newspaper Utusan Malaysia just to win Malay support at any cost.

“Many Christian leaders have expressed utter dismay at these provocative lies and denied vehemently that there are groups of Christian pastors working with DAP to create a Christian state and prime minister,” he said.

He added that the DAP has always endorsed Islam as the federal religion of Malaysia as enshrined in the Constitution and has always opposed the establishment of any theocratic state from any religion.

“This position of supporting Islam as stated in our Federal Constitution is even included in the DAP party constitution,” he said.

On a separate issue, Lim slammed Umno for leading a demonstration against him in Butterworth yesterday on the state government’s proposed toll-free alternative road from Jalan Bagan 29 to Jalan Siram.

He pointed out that the proposed road, which was initially set to cost RM5 million, had been brought down to cost only RM3.3 million after the state used an open tender system to source for contractors for the project.

“The contractor who won the project was a Malay contractor who brought down the cost further by another RM800,000 to RM2.5 million through close monitoring by Penang state executive councillor Lim Hock Seng.

“This is a classic case of a state government project costing less than the awarded tender price; that would never happen in a BN state, which would invariably cost more than the tendered price,” he said.

However, Lim said that BN and Umno had every right to oppose the project as it proves the difference in BN’s and Pakatan Rakyat’s policies.

“But no one has a right to run a campaign based on lies and Umno has no right to protest against something that is just not true.

“Or else, where would this end? If our country is built on lies, then collapse is certain,” he said, referring again to the Utusan Malaysia report.

“Malaysians regardless of race and religion must stand up together against Umno and Utusan Malaysia who are playing with fire and are ready to burn 1 Malaysia with the racist agenda of 1 Melayu-1 Bumi, 1 Cina of MCA or 1 India of MIC,” he added.

[pywong]

In the old days, PERKASA's action is known as a witch-hunt.


[Malaysian Bar:3207] Press Release: Reject attempts by Utusan Malaysiato instil fear and spread falsehood (http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/press_statements/reject_attempts_by_utusan_malaysia_to_instil_fear_ and_spread_falsehood.html)

From: Bar Council <council@malaysianbar.org.my>
Sender: malaysianbar@googlegroups.com
Date: Mon, 09 May 2011 18:37:33 +0800
To: <malaysianbar@googlegroups.com>
ReplyTo: council@malaysianbar.org.my

The Malaysian Bar is deeply concerned about the report that appeared on the front page of Utusan Malaysia on Saturday, 7 May 2011, entitled “Malaysia negara Kristian?”

Without offering any evidence save references to postings by bloggers, which do not appear to have been separately and independently verified, Utusan Malaysia saw fit to publish this story. Given the highly controversial nature of the alleged story, it is incumbent on any self-respecting newspaper to ensure that its reporting is fact-checked. To have printed such a story without checking with the subjects of the alleged incidents is highly irresponsible on the part of Utusan Malaysia, and is nothing short of gutter journalism.

What concerns the Malaysian Bar further is the fact that Utusan Malaysia appears to be able to offer such so-called journalism in a climate of impunity. Instead of questioning Utusan Malaysia’s journalistic conduct and ethics, the immediate responses from the Ministers in charge of home affairs and communications were to order investigations into the alleged incidents themselves.

It appears that it is enough for the police to launch an investigation once a report has been made, without first investigating the veracity of such reports themselves. The whole process of making police reports has thus been turned into an avenue to invade the privacy of dinner parties and closed-door meetings, without first asking whether the maker of such reports has ulterior motives. People are then being made to respond to police investigations launched on the flimsiest of reasons and to defend their freedom of assembly and speech. This is a mockery of the principle of justice that someone who is accused of wrongdoing is innocent until proven guilty. This is clearly a dangerous erosion of the fundamental liberties enshrined in our Federal Constitution, and must be stopped.

By immediately investigating the alleged incidents rather than those who made the reports, the authorities have shown favoured irresponsible parties how they can wantonly instil fear and religious disharmony in the country. All they have to do now is to make unproven and unsubstantiated allegations in any compliant national newspaper and the law enforcement authorities will do the rest. In this way, the authorities are gullibly assisting those who seek to play up lies and falsehoods in order to artificially create religious conflict.

In creating and/or highlighting this “non-news” item, these irresponsible parties seek to manoeuvre and manipulate current events so as to give the impression that certain elements within a particular community are working to cause disunity and perpetrate treasonous activities.

This dastardly deed by such reckless parties must be seen for what it is – a naked and blatant act of deliberate provocation. The aim appears to be to cause fear through the creation of false news. The lodging of police reports throughout the country seeks to invite the police to investigate a particular community, thus heightening emotions. This then conveniently provides the authorities with a false justification to tighten control of blogs and other forms of electronic media, thereby muzzling free speech, open dialogue and informed discussions.

Any independent observer of the mass media would reach the conclusion that Utusan Malaysia is beyond the reach of the law. Although the Malaysian Bar opposes the use of oppressive laws, including the Sedition Act 1948 and the Printing Press and Publications Act 1984, the Government threatens to wield such laws against those who voice dissent, hence acting in what is perceived as an arbitrary, or even biased, manner.

The Malaysian Bar is concerned that no action has been taken against Utusan Malaysia although it has persistently published intemperate and wild accusations, written in inflammatory language, which threaten Malaysia’s social fabric. Utusan Malaysia continues to act with impunity, and thus appears to enjoy a status that is above the law.

We call on the authorities to instead investigate the Utusan Malaysia journalists and editors responsible for perpetrating such repeated attempts to instil fear and spread falsehood.


Lim Chee Wee
President
Malaysian Bar

9 May 2011

[pywong]

ACT MEAN AND FAST AGAINST UTUSAN MALAYSIA (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/05/12/act-mean-and-fast-against-utusan/)

Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 11:44 AM

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qjPEQ5WPpoU/SesY6pMP5jI/AAAAAAAAAB4/sQM65OlWiiM/S220/gambar+sayaArsad is a retired Brigadier General

By Mohd Arshad Raji

A retired army officer who believes in justice for all and hates liars and apple polisher.Believes that all members of AF must be free of corrupt practices.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

ACT MEAN AND FAST AGAINST UTUSAN MALAYSIA

What words can I use to describe Utusan Malaysia’s (UM) recent report that some Christian group is plotting to turn Malaysia into a Christian State? What words can I describe a UM report which says that a Christian group together with the DAP is plotting to appoint a Christian as the Prime Minister? The only words that I can used to describe all this are DISGUSTING, IRRESPONSIBLE, DANGEROUS and a pack of LIES.

How on earth could the editors of the daily approve such a report that is unsubstantiated, and knowing full well that the report can be a cause for serious racial strife between Christians and Muslims of this country. This is not the first time UM has reported on issues that can bring devastation and worse still the disintegration of a well tested multi racial and multi cultural Malaysian society. How could the Home Minister be so lame in not wanting to impose stricter rules to prohibit UM from publishing reports that can bear serious effect on racial harmony?

Personally, I have had enough of UM, and I dread the day when this blessed nation of ours sees the repeat of the bloody May 13 incident. I would like to ask the entire UM editorial board, where were they during May 13, 1969 i.e. 42 years ago? I think most were mere kids sucking milk bottles. Some may be slightly older who knows not what suffering and fear is all about. Just ask the soldiers on how they felt trying to maintain the peace throughout the entire troubled period, and most will say that they do not wish to go through a similar period again. I was lucky because I was in Tawau then, but my parents who were residing at Kg. Datuk Keramat lived in fear.

Let me tell this to the entire UM editorial board that you don’t know what it is like to go without sleep. You do not know what it is like to be shot at. You do not know the ordeals that your parents have gone through to protect you. You do not understand what fear is and how it affects your physical and psychological well being. You do not understand what pain is, and there are thousands of others that you do not understand. So please cease writing all this garbage, and stop practicing gutter journalism.

Personally, I do not think what was reported is true. And I do not believe the Christians in this country would want to do what was stupidly reported by UM. The repercussion is too great and no one would want to see this country disintegrate and destroyed by some unscrupulous instigators of violence who gleefully hides themselves behind their sponsors. And if ever your report turns to be true and is realized in the future, I will not blame anyone else but the UM and your sponsors for their own stupidity.

To the Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein, you have to act mean and fast, and do not let the instigators and those behind these reports be left scot free. The people know who owns UM and if you fear to act professionally, then you deserve to be called a COWARD.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION

[pywong]

Thursday, 12 May 2011 11:42
Stop making useless statements while the nation burns (http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=12266:stop-making-useless-statements-while-the-nation-burns&Itemid=2)


Written by Maclean Patrick, Malaysia Chronicle

............................

Thursday, 12 May 2011 19:20
Home ministry warning to Utusan not enough, Najib slammed for arrogance (http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=12294:home-ministry-warning-to-utusan-not-enough-najib-accused-of-arrogance&Itemid=2)


Written by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

....................................

Thursday, 12 May 2011 16:26
Nothing new, no progress from Najib's meeting with Christian leaders (http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=12275:nothing-new-no-progress-from-najibs-meeting-with-christian-leaders&Itemid=2)


Written by Melissa Lee, Malaysia Chronicle

....................................

Friday, 13 May 2011 10:01
Nie Ching: Utusan the "real son" of Umno, slams Najib for double-standards (http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=12324:nie-ching-utusan-the-real-son-of-umno-slams-najib-for-double-standards&Itemid=2)


Written by Teo Nie Ching

....................................

Friday, 13 May 2011 11:05
Christians more angry now at Najib's 'two-faced' handling of Utusan report (http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=12327%3Achristians-more-angry-now-at-najibs-two-faced-handling-of-utusan-report&Itemid=2)


Written by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

Christians expressed anger and disappointment with the way Prime Minister Najib Razak handled the latest attack against their community, sparked by a false report published by Utusan, a Malay-language newspaper owned by his Umno party.

Many felt that instead of conciliation and making amends, Najib used a luncheon meeting with select Christian leaders to gain publicity for himself as a Malay and Muslim leader at their expense.

“In the end, it comes out as though the Christians had been guilty and he had managed to get us to change our stance. It is really rubbing salt to the wound,” Christopher Isaac, who frequents the SFX Church in Petaling Jaya told Malaysia Chronicle.

At the end of a 45-minute meeting held a day ago, Najib announced that Christian leaders had pledged to respect the position of Islam as Malaysia's official religion and that they had no intention of challenging the provision enshrined in the Federal.

"There is nothing new in that statement. No one has disputed the position of Islam or the provision in the Federal Constitution, so there is no need for anyone to say it on our behalf," Ramon Navaratnam, a prominent Christian lay-leader, had told Malaysia Chronicle.

“What is lacking is that there wasn’t a joint statement with the Church leaders and this in itself is telling.”

Lack of joint statement bodes ill for future ties

Indeed, Najib’s statement was immediately condemned as being skewed and unbalanced. He did not once mention the role of the Umno bloggers who had helped Utusan stir up the trouble or to chastise them.

Some followers of the inter-faith problems dogging Malaysia said Najib’s refusal to issue a joint statement boded ill for the future. They pointed to the mountain of problems still sitting in the in-tray at the PM’s office under National Unity minister Koh Tsu Koon.

“Najib has purposely avoided a joint statement because he wants to show the Muslim and Malay communities that he will perpetuate the Ketuanan or supremacy policies that other religions are not equal to Islam and other races below the Malays,” said Christopher, who is also a regular contributor to a Christian magazine.

“His aides can try to defuse anger by whispering that it is because the elections are nearby and he has no choice. But these are long-standing principles and if a man cannot make a stand on this, then he is not a man worthy to be a prime minister of a country.”

The Christian leaders who attended the Thursday meeting, including Bishop Ng Moon Hing of the Christian Federation of Malaysia, were left to make their own statements to the press.

"We only said we are very disturbed and unhappy. The irresponsible, potential riot-type seditious words shouldn’t be published in mainstream media or any media for the matter,” said Ng, the CFM chief.

Rubbing salt into the wound created by Umno

A separate statement from the Home Ministry issued later in the evening stating that Utusan had been reprimanded - and not even warned - added salt to the wound.

Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching took Najib to task by questioning why he treated Utusan with such leniency, when in 2008, the government arrested Sin Chew journalist Tan Hoon Cheng under the Internal Security Act. This depite the fact than Tan had correctly reported in her 4-paragraph article a speech made by a Penang Umno leader that called Malaysian Chinese 'penumpang' or passengers.

"While everyone knows that Utusan Malaysia is the mouthpiece and the ‘real son’ of Umno, Najib should not practise double standards with regard to his stand on the rest of the mainstream media in such a blatant manner, and treat the Chinese-language media in particular like ‘stepsons’," Nie Ching said in a statement out on Friday.

"All media outlets and journalists should be subjected to the same standards of scrutiny, overview as well as defence when the need arises."

The ruckus flared up last Saturday after Utusan front-paged an article entitled Christianity, the official religion? The article was based on unsubstantiated postings on two pro-Umno blogs that accused the DAP and a group of Christian pastors of colluding to replace Islam with Christianity as the official religion for the purpose of installing a Christian prime minister.

The motivation for the story appears to be an attempt by the Umno elite to shore up Malay support as the country gears up for general elections widely expected to be called before the end of this year. Malays form 60 per cent of the population and their support is key for the BN to retain control of the federal government.

Speculation is also rife that the move arose as a result of infighting amongst the Umno elite, with former premier Mahathir Mohamad alleged to have triggered the blog postings so as to force Najib to put the brakes on any plans to hold the GE earlier than 2012.

[pywong]

An UMNO-owned Newspaper Inflames Malaysia (http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3188&Itemid=199)


Written by Our Correspondent
Thursday, 12 May 2011

http://www.asiasentinel.com/images/stories/smoothgallery/JAN2008/malay-najib-tun-razak56.jpg
Najib says don't worry about it

Utusan Malaysia stirs the racial pot

A week ago, the Malay-language broadsheet Utusan Malaysia printed a story that is sending reverberations throughout an increasingly racially tense Malaysia, to the effect that Christian pastors were seeking to install a Christian prime minister who would change the country's official religion.

Although the story was ridiculous on the face of it, it has been given wide circulation and drawn considerable comment as well as a series of police reports filed in local stations. Malaysia's official religion, enshrined in the country's constitution, is Islam although other religions are guaranteed freedom of existence. Any attempt to change that would probably result in a racial conflagration that no sane individual in Malaysia would want.

According to the CIA World Factbook, ethnic Malays make up 50.4 percent of the population, more than double the population of Chinese with 23.7 percent, Indians at 7.1 percent, others 7.8 percent and indigenous races, primarily in East Malaysia, at 11 percent. Muslims account for 60.4 percent of the population, Buddhists 19.2 percent, Christians 9.1 percent and Hindus 6.2 percent.

Leaders of the Christian Federation of Malaysia, which represents several different religions met with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on Thursday to say the report was specious and to ask that Utusan's editors be disciplined for irresponsible reporting. Najib told local reporters he welcomed the church leaders' assurance that they were not seeking to make the country a Christian nation.

News reports gave no indication that Najib apologized to the church leaders for the newspaper's irresponsible reporting. Utusan Malaysia is owned by the party that Najib heads – the United Malays National Organization, the ethnic Malay party that leads the national governing coalition, the Barisan Nasional. Over recent months, the newspaper has become more strident in its racial reporting, earning it criticism from a wide variety of sources, particularly the opposition parties which it regularly excoriates.

The paper recently fired Hata Wahari, a longtime reporter at Utusan and the recently elected president of the Malaysian National Union of Journalists after filing eight charges against him for a variety of shortcomings. However, the charges were widely regarded as having been triggered by Hata's statements about the lack of freedom in the country's mainstream press and in particular Utusan Malaysia's pro-government, anti-opposition bias. Hata was the second national journalist's union head fired by the paper.

As with Utusan, the country's political parties own most of Malaysia's major dailies and television stations, in Malay, English, Chinese or Tamil languages. Utusan is just one of several newspapers controlled by UMNO. Although opposition parties own their own publications, they are under strict licensing rules that require renewal each year. While the mainstream press face the same restrictions, their ownership serves as an even bigger impediment to impartial journalism. The Internet largely supplies the country's only independent journalism, a fact that appears to account for fast-growing online readership.

Supposedly the demand to Christianize the country, reported by two pro-government bloggers according to Utusan Malaysia, was made at a meeting in which opposition lawmaker Jeff Ooi was present. However, according to critics, Utusan didn't bother to check the information. The blogs themselves didn't state how they learned of the report.
Press freedom organizations including the Center for Independent Journalism, Charter2000-Aliran, the Writers' Alliance for Media Independence and 1 Muted Malaysia all condemned the reports as irresponsible.

"Utusan Malaysia also did not offer an explanation for not naming these sources," the organizations said in an open letter. "The use of anonymous sources - usually, in consideration of the sources' safety - must be publicly justified. Notwithstanding this, Utusan Malaysia chose to run this as a front-page report, no less, and in so doing, gave the unverified story the credibility it did not deserve."

Further, the group said, "the front-page story only quoted Ooi denying the allegation that he had sponsored the meeting. The subjects of the allegation itself - the pastors who allegedly made this call - were not interviewed. The Christian meeting's organizers, which included the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF), had already denied the allegations of such a call being made in a statement published in the online media. Utusan Malaysia did not refer to this statement at all, nor was there any indication that any attempts were made to seek clarification from the pastors, NECF or any other Christian organizations."

Free Malaysia Today, a Kuala Lumpur-based blog, argued today that "The mainstream media, for as long as they pander to the government, enjoy immunity from public prosecution. But Utusan Malaysia has earned a special place within this untouchable clique simply by the virtue of being owned by UMNO. This privilege has spawned relentless attacks on the opposition and increasingly frequent inflammatory reports on race and religion. But while most urbanites can see right through Utusan Malaysia's thinly-veiled propaganda, its rural readership remains staunch believers.

The blog quoted Hata Wahiri as saying that the country should worry about the "slander" his former employer is producing, "because it is taking root in the rural areas. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are multi-cultural and able to discuss Utusan's reports among themselves to seek clarification. But the rural community is predominantly Malay-Muslim. Who are they going to cross-check their facts with? Neither is there another Malay-language paper to counter Utusan's reports. The only media they are exposed to is government-owned media."

Hata warned that the newspaper is stoking racial flames and that "one day it will explode. I'm very afraid of that. If anything were to happen, it will begin in the rural areas." If it continues, he said, "another May 13" – the day in 1969 when the country exploded into race riots that took hundreds of lives – is likely.

"The fact that Utusan Malaysia is continuing to spin more stories from a completely unverified report implies mischief on their part," the press freedom organizations warned in their letter, "since there is a danger of various communities reacting further and inflaming an essentially emotive issue. Already, there are at least seven police reports lodged in response to what was mere rumor. Accuracy and verification are an integral part of journalism. Sources must be named as a measure of accountability on the part of both sources and journalists, and to allow readers to judge for themselves whether the information provided is true."

[pywong]

Are we Umno’s prisoners of irrational fear (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/05/13/are-we-umno’s-prisoners-of-irrational-fear/)


Mariam Mokhtar | May 13, 2011

Umno is bereft of conviction and hampered by weak leaders and their only course of action is to remind us of the possibility of another May 13.

COMMENT

Utusan Malaysia’s headline, ‘Malaysia Negara Kristian?’ (Malaysia a Christian state?), was a subtle Umno plot to warn us, that the consequences of voting for the Opposition might trigger another ‘May 13’.

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pemimpin-umno.jpgThe Utusan article bears all the tell-tale signs– sowing the seeds of discord and exaggerating our fears. Ever since the May 13 riots of 1969, Umno has relied on scaremongering and threats, to make Malaysians prisoners of irrational fear.

It is in Umno’s character to employ cynical tactics because it faces defeat in the 13th General Election. The opposition has captivated the electorate as seen by its successes in Sarawak and to make matters worse, PAS has rejected Umno’s overtures. Umno has run out of ideas and vision. It lacks momentum and motivation. It has reached the end of the road.

In June 1969, the young Mahathir Mohamad cut his political teeth by penning a letter urging Tunku Abdul Rahman to resign as Prime Minister and Umno chief. Mahathir blamed Tunku, for the Alliance’s general election losses and May 13.

The Umno council expelled Mahathir from Umno in September 1969 but two years later, he was welcomed back into the party. By 1973, he was appointed senator. The year after, Mahathir became the Minister of Education. Bizarrely, Mahathir became prime minister twelve years after May 13 and his expulsion from Umno.

Extremist Malays probably considered May 13 a Ketuanan Melayu triumph. In addition, the 70s saw the age of ascension of the new Malay capitalists who sought to undermine the aristocratic Malays, of which the Tunku belonged.

The arrogance of Mahathir can be illustrated in how he boasted during campaigning in 1969, that he could retain his parliamentary seat without any need for support from the Chinese electorate.

The NEP was borne out of the May 13 riots. Umno was given carte blanche to implement their agenda for political and economic dominance through the NEP.

Umno’s masterplan at work

In a further horrific move, all the institutions which were left us by the British were slowly and systematically dismantled to assist Umno in its masterplan for complete domination of our mind, body and soul.

Our judiciary, the police, the military, our civil service and the education system, were some of the region’s best, but which have all been exploited by Umno.

Malaysians are not convinced by the Umno ‘experiment’. What have we to show for the past 54 years of Umno domination? So what if we have twin towers of concrete, steel and glass that reach out to the sky when our morals have sunk to terrible depths?

What use have we of an astronaut who ventures into space when the poor Penan can’t even send his daughter to school without the risk of being raped? What is the point of mono-culture when you deprive the Iban or Orang Asli of his ancestral land or of the general populace of much needed acreage for the cultivation of food crops?

Umno’s governance has been a wasted opportunity of historic proportions. Why should we believe that Umno was elected fairly when we hear of the various ways Umno is ‘creative’ at election rigging?

Umno was well-placed to change this country for the better. But its succession of leaders has failed the country.

There were flaws which undermined the project to make Malaysia an economic phenomenon.

First is that we threw money at the Malays without making them understand the true value of how to appreciate it. The second was that we did not include the non-Malays in the restructuring of the country.

The Malays were sold a dream but that dream has turned into a nightmare. Industrialisation meant they moved out of their kampungs to the towns for they were told the streets were paved with gold. The loss of the close family unit and community network plus the inadequate housing, have created its own social problems.

The Ibans too feel the same disappointment and frustrations as the Malay. Whole longhouses are vacated as the Ibans migrate to the urban areas with the loss of their NCR lands. But the longhouses are not empty for they have been colonised by the Indonesians who now work as the cheap labour of the massive plantations in Sarawak.

The non-Malays, like the Indians and Chinese, would like to share in the Malaysian dream but are forbidden from doing so. They are ‘pendatang’ and are treated as second class citizens even though Malaysia is the only place they call home.

Led by weak leaders

When all that is familiar is eradicated, these races feel a sense of loss. Without an identity, how can they possibly build a future together?

Given all this, it is not surprising that the opposition has managed to capture the imagination of the voters to build a nation based on the contributions of each and everyone of us.

The possibility of a united stable Malaysia under the opposition is what scares Umno and so they try one last tactic to influence the Malays.

Umno, via Utusan and its contentious article – tells the Malay that he will be robbed of his faith, possibly even be converted to a Christian, because subversive elements are trying to change the official religion to Christianity.

Umno is bereft of conviction and hampered by weak leaders. Their only course of action is to remind us of the possibility of another May 13. But why should we allow them to make us prisoners of irrational fear?

Mariam Mokhtar is a political observer and an FMT columnist.

[pywong]

Is this a ploy by Mahathir to force Najib to delay the GE?

Thursday, 12 May 2011 16:08
A storm is brewing as the Umno elite bargain for territory ahead of the GE (http://malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=12272:a-storm-is-brewing-as-the-umno-elite-bargain-for-territory-ahead-of-the-ge&Itemid=2)


Written by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

Something is brewing in Umno, right at the top, and a brawl that has broken amongst its troop of bloggers has given the game away. It looks Prime Minister Najib Razak and his sometimes-mentor, sometimes-foe Mahathir Mohamad are at odds again.

[pywong]

Bar Council says unconstitutional for Islamic laws to skip legislative approval (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/bar-council-says-unconstitutional-for-islamic-laws-to-skip-legislative-approval/)


By Boo Su-Lyn
May 14, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — The Bar Council has dismissed a call by Muslim lawyers for Islamic laws to be legislated solely by the Malay Rulers instead of Parliament, saying it is unconstitutional.

Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee said all laws have to be passed by elected members of Parliament and the respective state assemblies as Malaysia is a constitutional democracy.

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“This is a fundamental and basic structure of the federal constitution,” Lim (picture) told The Malaysian Insider via e-mail last night.

“Such fundamental and basic structure cannot be bypassed,” he stressed.

He said the Malaysia Muslim Lawyers Association’s (PPMM) proposed memorandum to the government contradicted the legislative process and the federal constitution.

He also pointed out that matters pertaining to Islamic law are enacted by the state legislative assembly, except for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya which are under the purview of Parliament.

“This is provided under Article 74 read together with the Second List set out in the Ninth Schedule in the federal constitution,” said Lim.

“Thus, legislative powers as regard Islamic law are generally under the state’s legislative jurisdiction,” he said, adding that certain laws like the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 was passed by Parliament.

Lim also said the constitution did not make a distinction between the type of laws that Parliament was empowered to make.

He said Article 66(1) stated that the “power of Parliament to make laws” shall be exercised by Bills passed by the Dewan Rakyat and Senate.

Utusan Malaysia recently reported PPMM president Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar as saying that his proposal was to avoid debate by non-Muslims on Islamic laws.

Zainul Rijal suggested that proposed laws or Bills be approved by the Conference of Rulers or the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before they are presented to the Cabinet and Parliament for mere endorsement.

The Muslim lawyer also said the Bills do not need to be debated in their first and second reading as they have already been approved by the Conference of Rulers.

Zainul Rijal added that his proposal would put Article 11(3) of the federal constitution into effect for Muslims to administer their own religious affairs exclusively.

Lim, however, called Zainul Rijal’s use of the mentioned article “wholly misplaced”.

“The said provision does not allow religious groups (in this case, Islamic groups) the right to legislate Islamic laws,” said the senior lawyer.

“The power lies with the respective legislative bodies (either State Legislative Assembly or Parliament as the case may be) and does not and cannot be extended in the context put forth by Mr Zainul,” Lim added.

He pointed out that if Article 11(3) were to be interpreted in the extreme, any religious group may make laws as they please and thus spark “legislative anarchy”.

“Article 11(3) of the federal constitution provides that every religious group has the right to ‘acquire and own property and hold and administer it in accordance with the law’,” said Lim.

“‘Administer’ under the said provision must be read in the context of the whole provision... ‘it’ refers to ‘property’, not ‘administering their religion’ (which is a wider and incorrect interpretation),” he added.

PPMM’s proposal came even as a raging debate swirls over whether Muslim-majority Malaysia can be headed by a non-Muslim prime minister.

Some Malay-Muslim groups have been pushing the view that the constitution proclaims Islam to be its “official” religion and that only a Muslim can be the prime minister.

Barisan Nasional (BN) Cabinet member Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said recently, however, that there was nothing wrong with a Christian prime minister, pointing out that the federal constitution has never made race or religion a criteria.

[pywong]

Shame on you, Najib (http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/05/16/shame-on-you-najib/)


Maclean Patrick | May 16, 2011

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Instead of becoming the prime minister for all Malaysians, Najib chose to safeguard his own position first at the expense of the minorities.

COMMENT

In AD 64, 10 of the 14 districts of Rome went up in flames in a fire that raged for five and a half days.

Contrary to popular belief, Nero did not light the “Great Fire of Rome”. This was a rumour at the time and in order to deflect blame, Nero blamed the Christians. Thus, began the persecution of the Christians under Nero’s reign. During this period, Christians were tortured, fed to the animals and burnt at the stakes (illuminating Nero’s palaces during his parties to which we get the term “human candle”).

After the Great Fire of Rome, Nero organised relief efforts for all those affected. He opened his palaces to shelter the victims of the fire and provided food for the starving citizens. Nero played the saviour of Rome, winning over the hearts of the Romans with his charitable works. And when it came time to find fault, Nero placed the blame on the Christians without providing any proof whatsoever on their alleged involvement.
Now fast-forward to May 2011, and Christians were again falsely blamed for a fire started by a rumour. Only this time, the accuser and the ruler are in cahoots. While the nation simmers as religious and racial tensions rise – created largely by Utusan Malaysia and Umno – Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak steps in in an attempt at playing the good “cop”.

Shame on Najib, for like Nero, all your deeds are just for personal gains. All your deeds are to secure your position as head of this corrupt government. Shame on you that you would burn, at the stake, innocents just so that you may gain more support from the Malay grassroots.

There is internal bickering within Umno itself as to who will helm the party after Najib. And seemingly anxious to show his strength, Najib is working over-time to garner the support of the Malays as the nation heads towards the 13th general election.

Huge mis-step

This fear of losing the reins of government is further compounded by gains the opposition front made in the recent Sarawak state election. People are waking up and making a stand.

A huge mis-step was made by Umno and its various mouthpieces stepped out to attack the Chinese for their support towards the DAP, especially after the Sarawak state election. The poor mindset of the Barisan Nasional (BN) at that time was that all Chinese support had been thrown behind the DAP and therefore the Chinese had to be punished.

Thus, various accusations were levelled at the Chinese, prompting even the Chinese component parties within BN to state their stand. In all this bickering, did Najib step forward to stamp his authority as the prime minister of Malaysia? No, instead he allowed it to fester. And when the Chinese have been painted as enemies of the BN and the government, the same charge was hurled at the Christians.

It comes as no surprise that the DAP and the Christian community were jointly charged when Utusan Malaysia lied about a plot to Christianise Malaysia. And did Najib step forward to defend the minority group being targeted by this deluge of lies and unfounded accusations? No. Instead, he opted to keep quiet and being the opportunist, he would play the role of good cop.

Let’s not be hood-winked by the play being scripted here. Najib played it out as if the Christians were the one causing all the ruckus. Why then did Najib not meet DAP, too, since it was also labelled by Utusan Malaysia for being in cahoots with the Christians?
No, Najib was not out to calm matters. Instead, the matter has been turned on its head and the Christian leaders were made out as apologetic leaders apologising to the prime minister for even thinking about the matter. Did Najib in any way tell the leaders that they were not to blame but that it was Utusan’s fault for reporting lies? No.

Reckless minions

Najib assured the Muslim leaders that Islam will remain the religion of the federation, and the Christian leaders assured the Muslims that Islam’s place will be respected.
Umno, Najib and Utusan Malaysia washed off their hands for an obvious misdeed. And for formality’s sake, Utusan Malaysia was only issued a warning letter and bloggers like Big Dog were allowed to continue yelping in their kernel.

Shame on you, Najib. You are the prime minister for all Malaysians and especially responsible for the minority voices in the country. Yet, you safeguard your own position first at the expense of the minorities.

You allow the nation to burn under the weight of mismanagement and turn on the minority communities, branding them as the culprits for your inability to control your reckless minions.

The problem in Malaysia is not so much racial or religious tension but rather it is a leader who is so out of touch with the principles of governing people of diverse backgrounds.

Maclean Patrick is a Kuching-based blogger and an FMT columnist.

[pywong]

The Ugly Muslim (http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2011/05/15/the-ugly-muslim/)

By Mariam Mokhtar
May 9, 11 | Malaysiakini

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The Muslim NGO Pembela is wrong to blame Christianity for the alleged decline of Islam in Malaysia because the worst enemies of Islam, in Malaysia, are from within the ranks of the Muslims.

Islam may be a beautiful religion, but some of the Muslims in Umno, Utusan Malaysia, and the extremist groups like Perkasa and Pembela are ugly. Islam may preach love and tolerance, but Muslims in Umno, Utusan, Perkasa and Pembela are bigots who are consumed with hate.

Perhaps the so-called Muslims in these organisations, who profess to be true Muslims, are Muslim in name only. They lust after power and are aware that without the Malay vote, the activities of their party, their newspaper, their institution or their way of life (the Ketuanan Melayu lording it over other communities) will be curtailed or cease to exist altogether.

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Umno has been stung by the successes of the Opposition in Sarawak. They then suffered further humiliation with PAS rejecting their overtures. So, their only recourse to remain in power, come the general election, has been to provoke and manipulate Malay/Muslim minds, especially the rural Malays.

Umno has capitalised on the power of distraction. The trick is to divert Malaysians from BN’s failure to stabilise the economy, to reinvigorate the private sector and investment, and to manage the public finances.

Instill fear in Malays, blame the others

They do this by instilling fear in the Malays and by shifting the blame onto others. This time, the hapless recipient of Umno’s degeneracy, are the Christians of Malaysia. On previous occasions, it has been the ‘ungrateful’ Chinese.

Last Saturday, Utusan Malaysia defiantly provoked Malaysians with a front-page headline claiming the DAP was in league with a group of Christian pastors to instal Christianity as the country’s official religion. The insinuation was that the act would pave the way for a Christian prime minister.

Had this been a non-BN sanctioned newspaper, the editors would have been sacked and jailed, their licence to print revoked and the paper shut down. As Utusan is owned by Umno, it was business as usual at this Malay daily.

Time and time again, Utusan has got away with seditious publications when others, like Raja Petra Kamaruddin, face arrest for publishing revealing documents. It is the same treatment meted to Clare Rewcastle-Brown, the non-Muslim founder of the online website, Sarawak Report (SR).

SR prints original documents alleging Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s corruption and illegally obtained wealth. Clare is trying to make Malaysians aware of Taib’s corruption, but very few of the Muslims in Umno have taken heed.

It is without doubt that weak leadership of the country has given rise to this dangerous state of affairs.

Najib’s pledge may prove to be just hot air

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak finally broke his silence on the Utusan article; however, his announcement that the government would ‘investigate the matter before it was blown out of proportion’ and lead to ‘serious polarisation in society’, may prove to be just more hot air.

Perhaps he should ask himself how many times Utusan has been guilty of sedition and escaped censure? Most will say far too often.

How soon, and how severely, will he clamp down on the extremist Muslim elements in Malaysia, who have fanned anger and suspicion in the community?

Perkasa has already lodged a series of police reports in every state, saying that the ‘Christian state issue’ was a threat to national security.

Pembela finds fault with the Christians, by claiming that the Christians were on a mission to convert Muslims in the country, starting with “confusing” Muslims by the use of Islamic terms, presumably like the word ‘Allah’.

Those who have lived in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s will recall that Christmas was a time when all the races and religions would mix and mingle in open houses. There was no issue with the food or drink, no issue with the religious symbols like crosses or that there was a Christmas tree and hymns and carols were sung. Those times are but a distant memory.

If it is any consolation, all these machinations by the media are an indication that the general election is near. There is nothing like a dose of fear to manipulate people to do the wrong thing.

Perhaps the best way to reason the perceived threat to Islam, in Malaysia, is in the Muslim populace. If Islam here is under siege, it is because the enemy is the ‘Ugly Muslim’.

They are the ones who crave power. They are the ones who maintain that the term ‘Allah’ cannot be used by non-Muslims in Peninsular Malaysia, but is permissible in Borneo. They are the ones who confiscated the Bible in the Malay language and held the Christians to ransom.

So, why do they keep silent on the serious issues?

If we dig deeper, who are the ones who force children to convert to Islam, if one of the parents becomes a Muslim? How about body snatching or grave robbing? What about the child in Sarawak who was whipped for eating food that had been prepared for his school break?

What about the women who are treated like cattle? Or those who are abandoned by their husbands who yearn for a younger model? What about the Muslims who are flogged for drinking beer when this should be a personal choice?

What about the moral policing which has caused several deaths? What about the endemic corruption or the public screening of sex videos? What about child marriages?

Why do the Muslims keep silent on these serious issues but harp on about a fictitious demand by the Christians for Christianity to be the official state religion?

The biggest threats to Malaysia and Islam in Malaysia are the thieving, power-grabbing Muslims in political parties, the media and the NGOs, who know the truth but prefer to manipulate it for their own selfish means. They have failed their fellow Malaysian and others of their religion. That is the profile of the Ugly Muslim.

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a non-conformist traditionalist from Perak, a bucket chemist and an armchair eco-warrior. In ‘real-speak’, this translates into that she comes from Ipoh, values change but respects culture, is a petroleum chemist and also an environmental pollution-control scientist.