The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, must act immediately to guarantee a stop to any further illegal and unconstitutional raids by Islamic authorities on other religions or his assurances, whether in Christmas or New Year messages, mean nothing and lose all credibility.
Less than ten days after Najib’s two Christmas Speeches, one at the Federation of Malaysia’s Christmas Hi-Tea in Kuala Lumpur and the other at the national-level Christmas Open House in Penang, his message of moderation, harmony and co-existence have been thrown to the winds in the unprecedented and unconstitutional raid by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) and the police at the premises of the Bible Society of Malaysia and the seizure of about 350 copies of Malay and Iban Bibles.
Najib had said that rather than choosing the path of fighting over their differences, it is better for Muslims and Christians to find a common ground “to preserve the peace, harmony and stability of the country”, urging both groups to understand the sensitivities of each other’s religions so as not to offend another.
Najib said: “Muslims should not hurt the feelings of Christians and likewise, Christians should not hurt the feelings of Muslims.”
But this was the sentiment that was trampled upon in the illegal and unconstitutional raid by Jais at the Bible Society of Malaysia yesterday.
Najib had said in his Christmas speeches that a moderate and rational approach was needed to keep Malaysia peaceful and harmonious, that “differences in religious faith is not a weakening factor in our society, but rather a strong element in nation building for it serves as a constant reminder that we have so much to share in common, the values which are universally accepted like patriotism, peace, love, kindness, helping the poor and needy, social justice and so on”.
Najib also said: “We may differ in our faiths, but we are not divided”.
Again this message was completely lost in the illegal and unconstitutional raid yesterday.
Najib had targeted politicians he accused of stirring controversy for political gain and without regard for peace and harmony when he said:
“Time and again, these have tested our resolve to remain a tolerant and peaceful nation. Like all tests that have come before, we have been exercising restraint in our responses yet resolute in defending our moderate and harmonious way of life.
“Irresponsible politicians who only seek short-term fame at the expense of harmony, will constantly evoke the sensitivities and fault lines to portray oneself as a hero for political mileage.
“I have always frowned upon such irresponsible conduct and I trust all citizens will view this conduct nothing but a folly.”
The illegal and unconstitutional raid by Jais at the premises of Bible Society of Malaysia and seizure of Malay and Iban versions of Bible is the worst example of such “irresponsible conduct” and “folly” which calls for immediate action by the the Prime Minister. He must do more than just “frown”.
In his New Year message, Najib took note of the need to be active in the pursuit of unity as a result of the worsening of racial and religious relations in the past year.
He said: “Our responsibility – and my priority – is to secure the continued peace, stability and progress on which Malaysia’s future rests. Rebuilding our national unity, and encouraging public debate based on respect, is a great part of that. As the new year unfolds, you will hear more from my government about how we will do so.”
Surely, the illegal and unconstitutional raid by Islamic authorities on other religions is not what Najib has in mind about what he promised Malaysians as to how the Barisan Nasional government will rebuild national unity as the “new year unfolds” – in fact, he needs to give assurance that such illegal and unconstitutional developments are exactly events which will not be permitted to happen as they will exacerbate disunity and division rather than rebuild national unity.
Lim Kit Siang
They say Najib and Rosmah are out of the country (yet again), cuti-cuti dunia, enjoying their ‘hard-earned’ holidays while the country rocks.
Who decreed that B-UMNO and their agents are above the law?
DON’T hv hope on dis felo
Even his father’s former press secretary has GIVEN UP on him, 完蛋了
I actually laugh at the antics of these “authority” who gets and adrenaline rush with over-stepping the limits of their power and feel absolutely good about it.
In history, such over-stepping of limits of power HAS NEVER LEAD to any long term good – NOT EVEN FOR those who do it publicly or discovered and criticized. Its always never worth it. Ultimately the parties behind such things ALWAYS LOSES..
Najib who fancies himself cultured from his Anglican experience and education might as well have stayed in Pekan all his life when he has no understanding of such basics – AND he claims he is more interested in PEACE & HARMONY – proving he has no idea what it really means..
He has been a fence sitter and was non-committal all his life. How are we to expect him to make a stand?
One more thing.
This jib fella thinks like a primary school kid. He is only good for churning out morally correct answers.
This is the damaging consequence of decades of bad political leadership and narrow and divisive politics of religion.
Someone should challenge the Constitutionality of that Selangor 1988 Enactment once and for all.
Otherwise repeal it and replace it with a new law that is clear and fair that will promote harmony in the state.
The action by the 3 DAP Assemblymen to amend the current law is commendable but will it succeed? Then will it be signed into law?
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Someone should challenge the Constitutionality of that Selangor 1988 Enactment once and for all.
Otherwise repeal it and replace it with a new law that is clear and fair that will promote harmony in the state.
The action by the 3 DAP As$emblymen to amend the current law is commendable but will it succeed? Then will it be signed into law?
A puppet is just a puppet. What can it (he) do?
Honestly, HOW can dis nation enjoy stability n progress?
In recent years, it has been constantly battered by ultra-racist, religious, n violent messages/lies n actions of Perkosa, UmnoB, Jais, mufti, mata2, etc – they r hell bent on creating troubles n inciting some rakyat 2 run amok, as if NO Troubles, NO Syiok 唯恐天下不乱
This mess all started back in 1986 or thereabouts when Mahathir started curbing the rights of non-Muslims through his government’s prohibitions and directives. Yet he now says that non-Muslims are ‘irritating’ the Muslims and he cannot understand why.
If any JAIS fellows come to my worship place I will definitely give them my chapatis.
About the role of the Police.
Why were there policemen in the illegal JAIS raiding party? What is their business there and who authorised them to be there?
Why were the two church officials required to go to the police station, detained there and later released on police bail? What offence(s) were they charged with? Why do they have to report to JAIS on January 10 as ordered by the police? Why are innocent people being harassed?
My answer to Mahathir, why “non-Muslims want to ‘irritate’ the Muslim” – ITS NOT ABOUT THEM AND THEY HAVE TO LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD..
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
About the role of the Police.
Why were there policemen in the illegal JAIS raiding party? What is their business there and who authorised them to be there?
Why were the two church officials required to go to the police station, detained there and later released on police bail? What offence(s) were they charged with? Why do they have to report to JAIS on January 10 as ordered by the police? Why are innocent people being hara$sed?
Bolehland now has the most dubious honour in the world to have the most hypocritical, most insincere, most incompetent, most deceitful, most forked-tongue, most lying PM in the world , who has received the most scorn, the most redicule, the most condemnation and the most scolding from his citizens ! Those nice sounding speeches by this utterly appalling PM were all written by paid consultants ( I doubt he has the intellect). He only read them out. He did not mean it, that’s was why he did not feel the dire need for him to act or respond to those mindless transgression by religious thugs and Gestapo!
Work harder send god children to East Malaysia rural areas expose the injustice, rules, and federal constitution
Actually just realize, IF THEY CAN TELL YOU NOT TO SAY “ALLAH”, THEN THEY CAN RAID YOUR CHURCH.. Its the same legal issue.
So Mahathir should be be asked – IS IT RIGHT OR WRONG FOR JAIS TO RAID CHURCHES???
Given Sarawakians and Sabahan are getting really upset with this issue, how about this idea – the breakup of Petronas into 3 national company – one for Peninsula, one for Sarawak and one for Sabah and managed by Peninsula, Sarawakians and Sabahan respectively.
The catastrophic state of affair that Malaysians are inflicted with now is that the present prime minister, Najib Razak, is sleep-walking on the job, which is worse than the dozing-on-the-job experienced by Badawi Abdullah. Badawi Abdullah’s malady is considered to be a mild form of malfunctioning; but Najib’s disease is malicious – comparable to that of Nero fiddling while Rome was burning down. When he realized the damage done during his sleep-walking episodes, he would deploy his expensive CON-syaitans (consultants) to repair the damage.
These are the same CON-syaitans that have brought down one of the greatest and strongest nations on earth, the United States of America, to its knees. Today America is a confused country because its CON-syaitans have liberally dispense with a wide array of confusing advice. Now Najib has imported these expensive CON-syaitans into Malaysia to advise him on devising a confusing alphabet soup of economic panacea. It is revealed that the CON-syaitans’ influence not only has Najib on hook, line, and sinker but also had permeated throughout the bloated administrative’s bureaucracy. CON-syaitancy is big business in Malaysia, never doubt about it.
///…As the new year unfolds, you will hear more from my government about how we will do so…///
Yes, Mr Prime Minister,….we hear you and how your government will do so — having uniformed goons and religious bigots to do all the unlawful acts! What a “Bang” to start the new year with!