Coalition of Malaysian Christians spokesman, Richard Klassen from Sabah, stressed that while Christians’ rights are protected under the Constitution, restrictions were being imposed on their freedom to practise their faith.
These included limits on the wearing 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 iron fist drama in insulting and ridiculing Malaysian Christians by defacing the holy bible is tantamount to treason, under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.
“The home minister’s recent comment demanding the Christians to be ‘fair and reasonable’ is a further insult to the Malaysian Christians. The bigger question is, ‘fair and reasonable’ to whom?” he said in a statement today.
The home ministry had previously seized a total of 35,000 Malay language bibles at two ports, Klang and Kuching. Following public outcry over the books’ seizures, the ministry then announced they would be released if allowed to be serialised and stamped with a ministry seal.
Before the importers could respond, home ministry officials began applying the serial numbers and seals without seeking express consent, triggering further outrage from the Christian community.
Hishammuddin had defended his ministry officials’ action as standard procedure necessary to expedite the books’ release.
The Christian importers subsequently denounced the government for the act, which they say is a desecration of their holy book.
With the Sarawak state election around the corner, Putrajaya extended an olive branch, offering to mask the home ministry’s stamp and serial number on 35,100 copies with labels stating simply “For Christianity”, instead of the previous, more comprehensive disclaimer.
Today, Klassen said that he will lodge a police report tomorrow at the Karamunsing police station in Kota Kinabalu against the home minister and the federal government for the “desecration” of the Alkitab.
The group had demanded action against the home minister and the government over the defacement of Bahasa Malaysia bibles, escalating the religious row ahead of Sarawak elections.
“The Malaysian government must respect our Constitution, particularly Article 11 of the Constitution, failing which the Constitution upheld with high esteemed by Malaysians is worthless,” he said.
About one in 10 Malaysians is Christian, but the community makes up nearly half the electorate in Sarawak where the Alkitab issue is expected to become a major focal point during campaigning for the April 16 election.
1 comment:
ane ga terllu ngerti gan soal ini,,,huhuu idem aja degh gan
Post a Comment