KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 – By allowing a planned public demonstration against the High Court ruling allowing Catholics to use the word “Allah”, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has shown he is not interested in calming things down.
Amid the raging debate on the ruling, the last thing Malaysia needs now is an Umno minister more interested in boosting his credentials among the Malay ground than maintaining order.
Hishammuddin’s comments today is all the more ridiculous considering the the High Court’s decision to stay its own ruling, citing “national interest”.
The decision to stay the “Allah” ruling was made with the consent of both the government and the church, in what is certainly an effort to bring down the mercury.
But Hishammudin’s remarks this afternoon will only serve to fan the flames of the debate.
The Home Minister asserted that the core issue was the issue of safety of the country, and that the group had already been advised against the protest.
“Everyone’s been appealing to them. No one, from the government to the opposition, wants this whole thing to get out of hand.
“As long as it does not affect national security, we will not stop it yet. We plan to get closer to the would-be demonstrators and try to talk to them first.”
The hypocrisy of his remarks is certainly clear, because he had never demonstrated such gentleness in dealing with demonstrations that were not sanctioned by Umno.
By allowing the protest, Hishammuddin is perhaps demonstrating to the public that this is a measure of a ruling party which has lost the ability to play the role of an honest broker.
It was Hishammuddin’s predecessor Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar who created this fuss in the first place.
Christians and the Catholic Herald newspaper have been using the word “Allah” in Bahasa Malaysia publication and worship for decades.
But along came Syed Hamid. He needed last year to shore up his support in Umno and therefore handed down the prohibition to ban the Herald from using the word.
Now, Hishammuddin also has to prove his mettle to his constituents.
It should come as no surprise because this was the man who sympathised with the cow-head protestors last year.
But the response and reaction of all Christians and right-thinking Malaysians should be to remain calm.
The best place to answer Hishammuddin and his ilk in Umno will be at the ballot box.
MI
Amid the raging debate on the ruling, the last thing Malaysia needs now is an Umno minister more interested in boosting his credentials among the Malay ground than maintaining order.
Hishammuddin’s comments today is all the more ridiculous considering the the High Court’s decision to stay its own ruling, citing “national interest”.
The decision to stay the “Allah” ruling was made with the consent of both the government and the church, in what is certainly an effort to bring down the mercury.
But Hishammudin’s remarks this afternoon will only serve to fan the flames of the debate.
The Home Minister asserted that the core issue was the issue of safety of the country, and that the group had already been advised against the protest.
“Everyone’s been appealing to them. No one, from the government to the opposition, wants this whole thing to get out of hand.
“As long as it does not affect national security, we will not stop it yet. We plan to get closer to the would-be demonstrators and try to talk to them first.”
The hypocrisy of his remarks is certainly clear, because he had never demonstrated such gentleness in dealing with demonstrations that were not sanctioned by Umno.
By allowing the protest, Hishammuddin is perhaps demonstrating to the public that this is a measure of a ruling party which has lost the ability to play the role of an honest broker.
It was Hishammuddin’s predecessor Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar who created this fuss in the first place.
Christians and the Catholic Herald newspaper have been using the word “Allah” in Bahasa Malaysia publication and worship for decades.
But along came Syed Hamid. He needed last year to shore up his support in Umno and therefore handed down the prohibition to ban the Herald from using the word.
Now, Hishammuddin also has to prove his mettle to his constituents.
It should come as no surprise because this was the man who sympathised with the cow-head protestors last year.
But the response and reaction of all Christians and right-thinking Malaysians should be to remain calm.
The best place to answer Hishammuddin and his ilk in Umno will be at the ballot box.
MI
07/01/2010
comments:
We can change this by showing the power of Rakyat during next General Election. The Rakyat have enough all these wrongdoings, double standard, cover up, raping the nation wealth and many many more. Let's show our support to against all the wrongdoings by voting +. Break 300 votes, please.
This doesn't affect national security? I suppose holding candles and wearing black do. What to expect from the same minister who appears with cow head protesters and tries to justify their action. Simply amazing.
Double standard, hypocrite, dishonest and way irresponsible behavior of the present leadership here.
Right minded Malaysians of ALL ethnic and religious backgrounds KNOW the devils from the angels. BN-UMNO may bask in the limelight afforded by themselves to themselves through cunning and calculated mischiefs. Using, or rather misusing, the country's machination and coffers. The rakyat KNOW that. The rakyat are NOT stupid. BN-UMNO thought they are. By extending sugar coated treats and engaging in divide and rule tactics may seem to buy them support and sympathy. But come the next general election, all the vile and cunningness will backfire. Let's keep our cool, and continue with good works and sincere efforts. The rakyat will know who the angels are, and who among them are the devils. Good will always prevail over the bad. God willing. Insya-Allah.
At the Ballot box. This is so true. Let's kick out all the racist and brainless ministers and MPs. Malaysians deserve better. We need calm, civility, and even handed approach from our leaders. The days of pandering to a certain group for political mileage is over and is not going to enhance Malaysia in any way. We have to move beyond that to be a global player and be relevant.
Truth is, there is so much ineptness in the administration of this country that scares all sense and sensibility. It has never been an issue before until UMNO decides to play the religion card after the race card has failed to excite (in a manner of speaking). One reaps what one sows. Does God Almighty need help from mere mortals? Au contraire, God is mighty displeased at such mucking about to gain brownie points. The silver lining is that the East Malaysians will get mighty pissed off with the Federal Govt banning their bibles and gagging their call to their Allah, and come the next general elections ... , guess what?!
The Home Minister is playing with fire here. If the demonstration gets out of hand, will he take responsibility and resign ??
The Home Ministers actions is not only double standards, it is also totally irresponsible on his part to allow these nationwide demonstrations to take place. Is he aiding and abetting the demonstrators, whose sole purpose is to intimidate minorities? If so, this is state-sponsored terrorism.
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