Terence Netto | May 8, 11
Malaysiakini
Catholic Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing warned of the rise of a “new McCarthyism” in Malaysia where failed politicians engage in “witch-hunts and “scaremongering” as diversions from the problem of their sinking popularity.
In comments made to Malaysiakini on the emergence of allegations that Christian groups were out to undermine the status of Islam as the official religion, the Bishop of Melaka-Johor, who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, said:
“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 greater national security threat than were the Communists,” recalled the Jesuit-trained prelate.
“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,” commented Bishop Paul Tan.
“Instead of dealing with the obvious causes of their sinking popularity, like widespread corruption, racism and intolerable economic inequities in society, they engage in witch-hunts against assorted scapegoats,” he continued.
Christians the flavour of the month
“It appears their flavour of the month is the Christians whom these scaremongers have rounded on and perhaps now regard as a soft target,” said Tan.
He warned that Christians will not be daunted by the “rise of this new McCarthyism in Malaysian society” where everyone else is 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.
Utusan jamban. what are they going to think of next? The pope will be agong? Appointed by DAP?
if there is such prostitutes and beggars, it will be those at utusan jamban prostituting for umno and beggars of titles. malunya utusan iblis.
Blardi SICKO, UmnoB – stark naked truth of UmnoB trying 2 hang on 2 power by going 4 broke, stirring up racial n religious fear, hatred n trouble through lies n irresponsible news in Utusan M 2 Malays
Worse than SICKO UmnioB r MCA, Gerakan, MIC, SUPP, etc giving their support n approval 2 UmnoB
Remember: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)
McCarthyism?
No, it is McNajibism
Actually I don’t agree with the Archbishop. You need a very very senior person in govt leading such a persecution? Who? Mahathir? Muhiyiddin? The analysis is incorrect and that is the danger. Critics of the govt and zealots cannot afford to be imprecise. Muhiyiddin may have some potential but I sense that his beliefs are more towards a weakness rather than a conviction.
No this is a repeat of the 1960s once again, people who are not at the pinacle of power trying to move the country right and the pinacle of power failing to stop them, leading to May 13, 1969 and decades of underperformance versus other countries.
At the heart of this debate is really are we doomed to repeat our failures because we have not recognised them? That is what his debate is. The choice is do we choose to be like HK, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore or do we choose to make the mistakes of Philippines, Indonesia, Zimbabwe who themselves have abandon their past.
And its not about economics, its also about religion. Do Malay Muslim fear being like HK, Taiwan, Korea and Japan? Can they imagine their religion being threatened if their societies are like HK, Taiwan, Korea and Japan?
Dear Kit,
I am very concerned about this recent trend to inflame races against each other. This latest Utusan lie, taken together with news that Rela members now undergo paramilitary training to handle weapons, and the earlier rumour that the UMNO has bought a large amount of arms ” underground” is cause for concern. I do not wish to add to that “scare” but there is cause for concern, I think. I hope that I am wrong. Please keep a close watch on these developments. I hope that UMNO and Najib will come to their senses, and see the folly of inciting racial/ religious hatred.
We must change the tenant at Putrajaya.
The final desperate kicks of a dying political party.