SHAH ALAM: The architect of Pakatan Rakyat’s common policy platform, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, (picture) is asking the Umno-led Barisan Nasional government to take full responsibility for attacks on three churches – Metro Tabernacle, Assumption and Life Chapel in the Klang Valley today.
Zaid, a former Barisan government Minister in charge of legal affairs and judicial reform, said Umno has to take full responsibility for the worsening of relations between people of different faiths in this country in its handling of the use of the word Allah.
"The irresponsible conduct of fanning the emotions by Umno leaders has brought about this dangerous situation.
“What we see today confirms that this country is being governed not by engagement consultation, sophistication or persuasion but by brute and mob force,” he said in a press statement in condemning the church attacks.
“The Umno-led government has the penchant to use force or flexing of authority in dealing with delicate issues.
“Take the case of the ban imposed on the Herald. They could easily have engaged in consultation with the church in Sabah and Sarawak. They should try to understand why the need to use the word Allah without any preconceived notions or prejudice. After all, they have been using the word Allah for many years before BN government acted to ban the Herald.
"They could easily have also engaged in discussions with the various Muslim groups about their legitimate concerns on whether the church are surreptitiously converting Muslims and explore ways to address these concerns in spirit of dialogue and peaceful deliberations,” he said.
He explained that there are already laws against converting Muslims but Umno instead chose to politicise the sensitive issue.
“There is already a law against converting Muslims anyway. They could have done a lot more. But because of their lack of maturity and sophistication banning is the obvious choice.
“They want instant popularity so fanning the emotions of Muslims becomes legitimate… and when the court ruled otherwise they then fan the Muslims to oppose the ruling.
“The people of this country will not escape the scourge of Umno-led rule until they decide once and for all to dislodge this government in the next available opportunity,” said Zaid who joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat after being disillusioned with the policies of Umno.
FMT
08/01/2010
Zaid, a former Barisan government Minister in charge of legal affairs and judicial reform, said Umno has to take full responsibility for the worsening of relations between people of different faiths in this country in its handling of the use of the word Allah.
"The irresponsible conduct of fanning the emotions by Umno leaders has brought about this dangerous situation.
“What we see today confirms that this country is being governed not by engagement consultation, sophistication or persuasion but by brute and mob force,” he said in a press statement in condemning the church attacks.
“The Umno-led government has the penchant to use force or flexing of authority in dealing with delicate issues.
“Take the case of the ban imposed on the Herald. They could easily have engaged in consultation with the church in Sabah and Sarawak. They should try to understand why the need to use the word Allah without any preconceived notions or prejudice. After all, they have been using the word Allah for many years before BN government acted to ban the Herald.
"They could easily have also engaged in discussions with the various Muslim groups about their legitimate concerns on whether the church are surreptitiously converting Muslims and explore ways to address these concerns in spirit of dialogue and peaceful deliberations,” he said.
He explained that there are already laws against converting Muslims but Umno instead chose to politicise the sensitive issue.
“There is already a law against converting Muslims anyway. They could have done a lot more. But because of their lack of maturity and sophistication banning is the obvious choice.
“They want instant popularity so fanning the emotions of Muslims becomes legitimate… and when the court ruled otherwise they then fan the Muslims to oppose the ruling.
“The people of this country will not escape the scourge of Umno-led rule until they decide once and for all to dislodge this government in the next available opportunity,” said Zaid who joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat after being disillusioned with the policies of Umno.
FMT
08/01/2010
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