Posts Tagged ‘Harmony’

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PM warns against spreading the memorandum by hindraf

November 28th, 2007
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We will use Act against street protestors if we have to, says PM

source

By JANE RITIKOS

PETALING JAYA: The Government will use the Internal Security Act (ISA) against street demonstrators who threaten national security and disrupt racial harmony if necessary, warned the Prime Minister. “If there are reasons for us to use it, we will use it,” Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stressed. He was commenting on illegal street demonstrations held in Kuala Lumpur recently, including the latest by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), which claims to be fighting for the Hindus in Malaysia. Abdullah said using the law, which allows for detention without trial, would be preventive action to spare the country untoward incidents that could affect its peace and national security.  “The ISA is there, if the situation warrants it, it will be used,” he told reporters at the RMAF air base in Subang here upon his return from Cairo yesterday. On calls by certain quarters for the ISA to be invoked against illegal street demonstrators, Abdullah said: “I am very surprised that people want the ISA. I thought they never wanted it.”  The police, he said, would decide on the appropriate action to be taken. 

On rallies being planned for next month, he said he would leave it to the police to assess whether they would be a threat to national security. The annual Human Rights March organised by the Bar Council human rights committee is planned for next month. 

Abdullah also warned that action would be taken against those who download and distribute the memorandum signed by Hindraf legal adviser lawyer P. Uthayakumar addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, which had been published in the Internet. The memorandum alleges persecution of Malaysian Indians. He said the Government acknowledged freedom of the Internet but action could be taken against those who misuse it to spread allegations against the Government.  The memorandum appeals to Britain to refer Malaysia to the World Court for crimes against ethnic Indians. It also claimed that “100 over Indians were slashed and killed by the Umno-controlled Malaysian government in the Kampung Medan mini genocide”. To this, Abdullah said that if Hindraf had indeed made such claim, Umno would act. “We want to know what proof they have (to support their claim). This is a serious accusation because they say it was Umno,” he said. 

On Hindraf’s action, he said: “They want to kiss the orang putih (British). They want the orang putih to take action because they are not satisfied with us”. Abdullah said Hindraf got support from the Indian community who thought they would each get RM1mil in compensation from its class-action suit filed against the British Government for bringing Indians into Malaya to work as labourers. The Prime Minister also said that everyone must realise that accusations against the Government were made because certain people thought that the election was around the corner, and this was the case in every elections. “But we hear what they say. Some of the demands are in the process of being addressed while some have been addressed but they are still harping on it,” he said. 

On Cameron Highlands MP S.K. Devamany’s comment in Parliament that the Hindraf demonstration showed there was frustration at the lower levels in the community, Abdullah said the Government must be fair to all. “If we focus on the interest of one group, others will be jealous, others will complain,” he said. 

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hishamuddin says Sembrong is example of racial unity

November 25th, 2007
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Hisham: Constituency a fine example of multi-racial cooperation

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KLUANG: The Sembrong parliamentary constituency is an example of racial unity and harmony where its Indian assemblyman receives the full support of people of other races, said Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. 

He said Kahang assemblyman S. Ramis received the support of the people although 97% of the population were non-Indians. 

However, he said foreign news networks such as Al-Jazeera or CNN do not want to highlight such positive situations. 

“They prefer to focus on the bad things that do not reflect the true identity of this country,” Hishammuddin, who is Sembrong MP, said after launching the Think.Com programme at SMK T6 yesterday. 

At the Sembrong MIC Deepavali Open House, Ramis said the situation in the country, especially Sembrong, was fine without even a whiff of racial tension. 

On the planned rally by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur today, he said he was firmly against such actions, describing it as an exploitation of democracy. 

“These people are misusing the freedom of democracy to cause unwanted problems by staging the illegal rally or march,” he said.

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Makkal Osai under fire for insulting picture of Jesus and PM disappointed

August 24th, 2007
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I'm sure most would have known about this issue already, and the zealousness of MIC and MCCBCHST to condemn fiercely. MIC Youth even had time to prepare a four-page memorandum. Kudos to them 🙂
 
This is one of the few moments where MIC can get some coverage in the papers. The Star, NST and The Sun (all reproduced below) all carried news on comments by various parties. Two of them accepted the apology – Council of Churces and Archbishop of KL.
 
Our PM also mentioned his dissapointment today in Star :
 

Do not mock any religion or its teachings as these are sensitive issues, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has reminded all Malaysians. "Do not do things which may offend the believers of other religions … this is not good,” he said. … “This can make the Christians unhappy. Muslims too cannot tolerate such things.” 

 
and he took task Makkal Osai in the NST :
 

Abdullah, who also heads the Internal Security Ministry, said publishers had a professional and moral duty to be more sensitive towards religious beliefs and issues. Abdullah was clearly upset over the matter, saying the blunder should not have occurred in a multi-religious society like Malaysia’s.

"I am sure the Christians, as we Muslims, cannot accept this," he said. "Do not do anything to upset religious followers," he said.

The prime minister did not say whether action would be taken against Makkal Osai. But he stressed that the government had always reminded publishers to treat religious matters with caution.

 
 
Worst may yet come, since drawing of prophet's images/caricatures are forbidden in Islam.  This applies to all their prophets, including Nabi Isa (Jesus) (from what I understand).. Hope there's no complaint from UMNO or some other muslim persons/organisations or Makkal Osai may find themselves in hot soup.

Anyway, I suppose the burning question among most Indians is where was MIC/MCCBCHST when all those conversion, illegal kidnapping and separation, and otehr religious issues were happening? Conveniently missing?

 

THE STAR: source

Tamil daily says sorry over Jesus pic

KUALA LUMPUR: A Tamil daily has apologised for using a picture of Jesus Christ, downloaded from the Internet, to highlight the sayings of great sages and leaders. Makkal Osai expressed regret for using the picture to depict the sayings under “Today’s Thoughts” on the top left hand corner of the front page on Tuesday. “We apologise for the grave mistake. We also want to apologise if we have hurt anyone’s feelings,” the paper said in page two. On the front page on Tuesday, the daily printed a picture of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette in one hand and a canned drink (which looked like beer) in the other with the quote: “If a person repents his mistakes, heaven awaits him.”  

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism has urged the authorities to take action against the paper for hurting the feelings of the Christian community in the country. Its president Datuk A. Vaithilingam said the Home Affairs Ministry should investigate Makkal Osai and take necessary action against those responsible for publishing the “shameful” picture.  

In Putrajaya, the MIC Youth handed over a four-page memorandum on the matter to Ravin Ponniah, special officer (policy) to the Prime Minister, at the premier’s office. A police report has also been lodged.

NST: source

Uproar over picture of Jesus holding beer

KUALA LUMPUR: A police report was lodged yesterday against a Tamil newspaper for publishing a front-page picture of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette in one hand and a can of beer in the other. The report, lodged by a Puchong MIC member at the Tun H.S. Lee police station, alleged that the picture was a "threat to national harmony".

Makkal Osai, a Tamil daily, printed the picture in its Tuesday’s edition with a caption quoting Christ as saying: "If someone repents for his mistakes, then heaven awaits them." The daily apologised for the publication, but the MIC is not letting the matter rest. Deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel urged the Internal Security Ministry to act against the newspaper for hurting the feelings of Christians in the country.

The MIC Youth submitted a four-page memorandum to the prime minister’s office asking the government to revoke Makkal Osai’s publication permit.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS) also called for action against the newspaper. MCCBCHS president Datuk A. Vaithilingam expressed surprise that the newspaper could commit such a grave mistake.

The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Murphy Pakiam, said the picture of the sacred heart of Jesus depicts his burning love for all people. "It is very sacred to Catholics. As such, this caricature of Jesus is a desecration and therefore hurtful to the religious sentiments of Catholics," Pakiam said. Pakiam said he had received an explanation and apology from Makkal Osai and he was satisfied with it and considered the matter closed.

Meanwhile, Makkal Osai general manager S. M. Periasamy said the offending picture published on its front page was "a mistake". "We admit that we made a mistake by publishing the picture. This was not intentionally done. We would never want to hurt the feelings of Christians in this country. We really regret this," he said. He explained that the paper carried daily quotes from great world leaders on its front page. The quote for that day was from Jesus Christ, and the picture accompanying the words was sourced from the Internet.

The Sun: source

MCCBCHS wants action against Tamil daily for Jesus Christ pic
PUTRAJAYA (Aug 22, 2007): The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS) wants the authorities to investigate a Tamil newspaper which published on its front page a picture of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette in one hand and what looks like a beer can in the other.

Its president Datuk A. Vaithilingam wants the Internal Ministry to act against those responsible for the publication of the picture. Makkal Osai, a Tamil daily, printed the picture on yesterday with a caption quoting Jesus Christ roughly as saying "if someone repents for his mistakes, then heaven awaits them". The daily apologised today for the publication. "Firstly, I'm surprised as to how they could make that mistake … it is a grave mistake. Newspapers should avoid publishing this kind of pictures as it causes hurt to people of that religion," Vaithilingam said.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Malaysia took a harder stance calling for a ban on Makkal Osai, saying that a precedent had been set. "When two newspapers published a caricature of Prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban early last year, the government took immediate action banning the two newspapers. Now we have this and they, too, should be served the same punishment as a lesson to others," Bishop Julious Paul said. He said the newspaper's apology was not enough as the publication of the picture "looked deliberate and unacceptable". Terming the publication of the picture as mischievous, he also wanted the newspaper to publish an apology in all the major newspapers, Malaysia's national news agency Bernama reported today.

MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel wanted the ministry to act against the paper "to drive home a clear message as religion is something which cannot be made fun of".

MIC Youth submitted a four-page memorandum to the Prime Minister's office asking the government to revoke Makkal Osai's publication permit. Puchong MIC member Peter Sinnappan, 37, lodged a police report at the Tun H.S. Lee police station in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Datuk Murphy Pakiam said the picture of the sacred heart of Jesus was very sacred to Catholics as it depicts the heart of Jesus burning with love and tenderness for all people. He said the Makkal Osai picture is a desecration and, therefore, hurtful to the religious sentiments of Catholics. "It is certainly in bad taste for the editor of Makkal Osai to publish such a picture, although the message in the accompanying words is an attempt to call repentant sinners to hope and salvation," he said in a statement here.

Council of Churches Malaysia secretary-general Rev Herman Shastli said they accepted the Tamil daily's public apology and consider the case closed.

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The MCCBCHST presents a statement to Parliamentary Selected Community on National Unity

August 9th, 2007
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The MCCBCHST presents a statement to Parliamentary Selected Community on National Unity

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism led by its President Datuk A.Vaithilingam and accompanied by Mr. Ng Hong Pau (Buddhist), Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri (Christian), Mr.K Shanmuga (Hindu), Sardar Jagir Singh (Sikh) and Mr Tan Hoe Chieow (Tao) met the Parliamentary Select Committee, Chaired by the Minister in Prime Minister Department YB DatuK Dr. Maximus Ongkili.

The Parliamentary Select Committee was made up of members from various political parties including UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerekan, DAP, PAS and others.

Please read the statement which has been presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee.

source
      
Statement to Parliamentary Select Committee on National Unity
 

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Malaysia is neither a secular nor theocratic state says PM

August 5th, 2007
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So, the PM has clarified what majority of Malaysians are already clear about. Only those few "goblok" politicians who have nothing better to do other than creating controversies are still unclear. I think that MCA in their rebuttal mentioned that ours is not a Islamic country, but did not say that we are secular per se. Of course now all the politicians will hail the briliance of our PM and those who erred will say quote "misunderstood" or "misquoted".
 
Lets wait for the next round of controversy to happen again.
 

By DERRICK VINESH

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Malaysia is not a secular state and neither is it a theocratic state, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. 

Reiterating that Malaysia is a multiracial nation that observes freedom of religious practice, the Prime Minister said: 

Contributions remembered: Abdullah Ahmad Badawi presenting the Anugerah Wira Merdeka (Merdeka Hero Award) to Abdul Rahman Lazim, 73, during a function at the Tuanku Bainun Teachers Training College in Mengkuang, Bukit Mertajam, yesterday. With them are (from left) Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Penanti Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid.

“We are a government that is based on parliamentary democracy; a government that is responsible to the parliament and the people. 

“It is a government that is made up of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Christians, who work together and discuss together development policies for the nation.” 

He said the Government gave due attention to all races, who enjoy religious freedom as provided for in the Constitution. 

“Be it a surau, masjid, temple or church, when there is a need for it, the Government gives the necessary aid,” he told a mass gathering at the Tuanku Bainun Teachers Training College in Mengkuang here yesterday.  

“Secular nations do not practise such freedom. To them, religious practice can only be done at home,” he said, responding to critics who claimed that the Government advocates secularism. 

Abdullah said the country’s multiethnic and multireligious compositions had never been a problem to Malaysians.  

“This diversity has enabled us to live in peace and harmony. Let us continue with our own unique Malaysian way,” he said. 

The Prime Minister said the country had progressed with its unique formula for 50 years and was now successful. 

“I do not see why such a government cannot progress in the years to come,” he said.  

In a tribute to the country’s founding fathers, Abdullah said they had fought for the nation’s independence but their struggles were not yet over and must be continued through the present generation. 

The current struggle was to eradicate poverty and prejudiced feelings that could derail the nation’s unity, he added.

The NST:source

The prime minister called for a stop to the polemic of whether Malaysia was an Islamic or secular country. He said Malaysia was not a secular or theocratic country but one which was based on parliamentary democracy. He said the government never marginalised any minority group or religion and that religious diversity in the country had never been a problem.

"This diversity is not a liability but is actually what makes us strong.

"We have always given attention to every group and our leadership is based on the consensus of all races."

The prime minister added this was what made Malaysia a unique country. Abdullah said the bigger ethnic group had never suppressed the smaller groups and this had contributed to the country’s continued peace and prosperity.

"We should all be thankful that our efforts to develop the country have never been derailed since we achieved independence.

"The government has always been able to carry through all development projects thanks to the people’s continued support for the Barisan Nasional since the time the coalition was known as the Alliance."

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