MCCBCHST: Pembela's action 'intimidating'
Published: Mar 29, 2011 6:21 PM | Updated: Mar 29, 2011 7:33 PM
The Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism has criticised a group of Muslim non-governmental organisations, calling itself Pembela, for its act of intimidation by lodging police reports against the council.
Its president, Reverend Dr Thomas Philips, said MCCBCHST's action in protesting the desecration of the Bible in the Malay language was in accordance with the law and the constitution.
The Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism has criticised a group of Muslim non-governmental organisations, calling itself Pembela, for its act of intimidation by lodging police reports against the council.
Its president, Reverend Dr Thomas Philips, said MCCBCHST's action in protesting the desecration of the Bible in the Malay language was in accordance with the law and the constitution.
"How can defending one's religious and constitutional rights through lawful means amount to sedition, as reported by certain media?" Thomas (left) asked.
"The action by Pembela to lodge a police report against us is tantamount to intimidation and could be seditious because it appears to be calculated to confuse the people to act against the council.
"In fact, Pembela should not be involved, as the conditions imposed do not refer to their holy scriptures," Thomas said.
He was referring to a report in the Star today, accusing the council of making seditious remarks on the issue of the Bible in Malay.
Malaysiakini also carried a report, saying that Pembela was demanding an apology from Christian groups for lodging police reports against the government over the Al Kitab row.
Pembela claims that Christian groups had issued kenyataan kasar (strong statements) on the matter, adding this had hurt the feelings of Muslims.
Pembela is a coalition of 20 NGOs that include the Muslim Youth Movement (Abim), Pertubuhan Kebajikan Darul Islah Malayisa (Perkid), Malaysian Ulama Association (PUM) and Teras Pengupayaan Melayu (Teras).
It was referring to Christian groups' condemnation of the home ministry for putting a stamp with the words "For Christians Only" and serial numbers on copies of the Al Kitab that had been impounded.
After a flurry of police reports and public statements by Christian groups, the home ministry softened its stand and said it was willing to have only the words "For Christianity" printed on the Al Kitab.
Pembela should engage with PAS
Thomas said Pembela should take a leaf from PAS, as its vice-president, Salahuddin Ayub (below, right), had stated that Christians have the right to use the word Allah to refer to God.
"We believe that PAS is the leading and acknowledged body to know about Islam and Pembela should approach the party to gain a better understanding of the issue," the MCCBCHST president said.
The Christian community has been offended by the home ministry's action to put its stamp on 35,000 copies of the Malay Bible confiscated in Port Klang and the Port of Kuching about two years ago, despite its decision to release them.
This has resulted in Christian groups and the MCCBCHST lodging police reports on the matter, with lawyers representing the Christian groups mulling legal action against the ministry.
Its president, Reverend Dr Thomas Philips, said MCCBCHST's action in protesting the desecration of the Bible in the Malay language was in accordance with the law and the constitution.
"How can defending one's religious and constitutional rights through lawful means amount to sedition, as reported by certain media?" Thomas (left) asked."The action by Pembela to lodge a police report against us is tantamount to intimidation and could be seditious because it appears to be calculated to confuse the people to act against the council.
"In fact, Pembela should not be involved, as the conditions imposed do not refer to their holy scriptures," Thomas said.
He was referring to a report in the Star today, accusing the council of making seditious remarks on the issue of the Bible in Malay.
Malaysiakini also carried a report, saying that Pembela was demanding an apology from Christian groups for lodging police reports against the government over the Al Kitab row.
Pembela claims that Christian groups had issued kenyataan kasar (strong statements) on the matter, adding this had hurt the feelings of Muslims.
Pembela is a coalition of 20 NGOs that include the Muslim Youth Movement (Abim), Pertubuhan Kebajikan Darul Islah Malayisa (Perkid), Malaysian Ulama Association (PUM) and Teras Pengupayaan Melayu (Teras).
It was referring to Christian groups' condemnation of the home ministry for putting a stamp with the words "For Christians Only" and serial numbers on copies of the Al Kitab that had been impounded.
After a flurry of police reports and public statements by Christian groups, the home ministry softened its stand and said it was willing to have only the words "For Christianity" printed on the Al Kitab.
Pembela should engage with PAS
Thomas said Pembela should take a leaf from PAS, as its vice-president, Salahuddin Ayub (below, right), had stated that Christians have the right to use the word Allah to refer to God.
"We believe that PAS is the leading and acknowledged body to know about Islam and Pembela should approach the party to gain a better understanding of the issue," the MCCBCHST president said.The Christian community has been offended by the home ministry's action to put its stamp on 35,000 copies of the Malay Bible confiscated in Port Klang and the Port of Kuching about two years ago, despite its decision to release them.
This has resulted in Christian groups and the MCCBCHST lodging police reports on the matter, with lawyers representing the Christian groups mulling legal action against the ministry.
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