Posts Tagged ‘Religion’

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My wish for malaysia’s 50th independence day

August 30th, 2007
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we all have wishes, let them be big or small, grand or simple. since our 50th independence day is just few hours away, i thought of listing out my wishes for this wonderful day in our country.

1. removal of the words “gender”, “race” and “religion” in any language in all application/registration/survey/entry forms used in our country except for those that requires specific characteristics e.g. imam must be a muslim.

2. free education up to secondary school for all students regardless of type of school and location.

3. improved, seamless, reliable, energy-saving, less-polluting, and efficient public transportation system throughout the country which reduces the need for privately owned vehicles.

4. to reduce dependency on foreign workers by training the locals to be skilled.

5. to provide fair distribution of services and benefits to all deserving citizens based equal rights.

6. to reduce working hours and encourage more time for families to bond together.

7. to have sets of law that provides access to information and guarantees freedom of rights of individuals.

wishful thinking…you say?

what do you wish?

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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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Samy says Indians are doing well

August 24th, 2007
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i'm not sure if "Malaysian Indians have shed their rubber tapper image for one of a community comprising the educated and urbanised" as claimed. Perhaps about 20 % fit the bill, while the rest may be either educated (another 20%) or urbanised (another 30%), or neither (the balance). Remember that 63% of malaysian are as said to be living in urban areas according to latest statistics. Anyway, being urbanised does not mean life is a bed of roses. Instead it will be a nightmare trying to live on a salary of RM800 in a town as compared in a kampung or estate surrounding.
 
Now, lets look a a bigger picture. nearly every country in the world reports healthy progress in terms of education, living standards etc, except for those ravaged by war or severe famine etc. The question is, are we on par with the rest? if not, why is it so? our fault – being lazy, complain but not intiative, begging for help; or the systems fault – discrimination, prohibitive policies, lack of opportunities etc. ?
 
And why keep harping on being rubber tappers? It is those jobs that helped the country and the descendents to prosper.
 
For MIC to gain back its name, it has to furnish statistics on all fields concerned to dispel or counter HINDRAF's claims. These statistics have to be back by its sources so that an independent body can choose to investigate if neccessary.
 
While I agree that not 3000 people attended the gathering as claim by HINDRAF, i am certain it is not 600 as claimed by Samy. I think it was more to about 1200 – 1600 people, as i counted the rows of people during the walk past the roundabout.
 
Also, even if the PM was there, would the people who gathered would have been entertained personally?
 
Its good that statistics on number of temples were furnished,(wonder what is the source of these figures). We have to assume that these are licensed temples. 24,000 temple for a population of 1.44 million (i assume 80% of indians are hindus) is about one temple for every 60 hindu. Quite a big number, but religion being a personal issue, a tree can also be a temple in hinduism.
 
I saw the speech  which he gave at the HYO's assembly which was attended by about 200 people (from i saw on TV3 news). He asked if Indians are backwards, would they be sitting there in the hall and listening to him. Those who attended are educated and doing well, which he imply represents indians in malaysia.
 
 
Indians today are ‘doing well’

By : June Ramli

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Indians have shed their rubber tapper image for one of a community comprising the educated and urbanised.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said this was the outcome of better educational facilities and jobs provided by the government over the past 50 years.

"Those who say the Indians are backwards are mad," he said during the Hindu Youth Organisation’s annual general assembly at the Shree Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Jalan Kasipillay yesterday.

The works minister said that if Indians were 50 years behind other communities, many would still be working as rubber tappers.

"But that is not the case. Today, all Indians are educ-ated with some doing very well."
Samy Vellu chided the opposition for sending a memorandum of protest to the Prime Minister’s office recently, alleging that the Indians had generally been ignored.

He lambasted them for claiming that 3,000 people had gathered at the Prime Minister’s office.

"First of all, there were only 600 people and not 3,000.

"And the best part is that they chose to protest on the day that the prime minister was away in Brunei on a working visit."

On the rationale behind the demolishing of several Hindu temples, Samy Vellu said this was done as they had not received approval from the authorities.

"As they have been built near drains and next to roads, these structures will definitely be brought down as they have not received approval from the authorities."

He said the number of temples had mushroomed from 17,600 in 1979 to 24,000 this year.

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MCA Youth Assembly says wave handphone, not sword

August 19th, 2007
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MIC youth probably can copy and paste from MCA youth. no need to waste time.
 
This is what i liked the most : "He said the authorities should do away with labels like ‘Muslims and non-Muslims’, ‘bumiputras and non-bumiputras’ among Malaysians to eradicate racism and advocate the spirit of ‘rakyat Malaysia’. "
 
of course in the end, it is all rhetorics to please the crowd and play to the gallery.
 
 
Stick to the Constitution

MALACCA: The MCA Youth has pledged to defend the sanctity of the Federal Constitution to ensure a united and progressive society that allows the freedom to practise one’s religion. 

Movement chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the spirit of the Constitution must be preserved for a long time for the sake of the future generation and the document must be the reference point. 

“Whenever there is a conflict of opinions about a situation we are not comfortable about, we should refer back to the Constitution,” he said during his speech at the opening of the movement’s annual general assembly. 

Liow said it was not MCA’s culture and certainly not the MCA Youth’s, to wave a sword when making a point. 

“If we wanted to wave something, why not a handphone? A handphone signifies communication and can also be said to promote understanding. We in the MCA Youth rather wave the Federal Constitution,” Liow said as he held out a copy of the document. 

His entire central committee then stood up and waved copies of the country’s supreme law to loud applause from the floor. 

Party deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy opened the assembly which was held at the Pay Fong Middle school hall here yesterday. 

Liow reminded the delegates not to take lightly the unity which had been enjoyed since independence but instead strive to not only preserve but also to strengthen it. 

“We must appreciate the unity and remind ourselves of the spirit behind our Federal Constitution, which is full of spirit of solidarity, natural justice and goodwill.” 

Quoting Perak Raja Muda Raja Nazrin Shah, Liow said the integrity of that document must be protected at all costs and that many misunderstandings may be avoided if the principles embodied in the Constitution were adhered to strictly. 

“We should not pressure others or to cause tension but instead promote the culture of open-mindedness and always be ready to engage in healthy discourse. 

“In the Barisan family, we are brothers, there is no master and slave, there is no question of who is being scared of whom or who should kowtow to whom,” Liow added to applause. 

He said the authorities should do away with labels like ‘Muslims and non-Muslims’, ‘bumiputras and non-bumiputras’ among Malaysians to eradicate racism and advocate the spirit of ‘rakyat Malaysia’. 

Liow also revealed that the Education Ministry had allocated RM14mil for Chinese primary schools under a four-year adoption programme by MCA Youth. 

He said the move was to upgrade the quality of education in Chinese primary schools to a higher level that was comparable to international standards. 

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MIC welcomes Abdullah’s rebuttal to allegations

August 18th, 2007
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source

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC has welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's rebuttal to allegations that the Government had failed to help the Indian community. 

Its president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the party thanked Abdullah for giving the true picture that Barisan Nasional had always assisted the Indian community to advance economically and socially. 

Abdullah had on Thursday expressed disappointment that there were groups still claiming that the Indian community was 50 years behind the others, despite continuous efforts by the Government to address its needs. 

He was commenting on a memorandum submitted by a group saying that the Government had failed to help the Indian community. 

Samy Vellu, who is also the Works Minister, said any fair-minded person could acknowledge the many achievements of the Indian community in economics, religion, education and social aspects. 

“Thousands of temples were constructed or rebuilt, all with the help of the Barisan government.  

“Thousands of Indian students have also undergone and are undergoing tertiary education in public and private universities while the MIC alone has created 32,000 semi-professionals through its TAFE College in Seremban,” he added.  

Samy Vellu said the MIC would safeguard the legitimate rights of the Indian community with the continuous support of the people and party members. 

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