Academician Ridhuan Tee Abdullah has drawn flak from MCA, which claimed he was being ignorant in saying that it was unfair for Christians to have more places of worship than Buddhists in Malaysia.

MCA’s religious harmony bureau deputy chairperson Ng Chok Sin (right) urged National Defence University lecturer Tee to be careful the next time he had the urge to write something. Tee should check first that what he expressed was not tantamount to sedition, Ng said.

“Being well-known for his racist, illogical way of thinking, Ridhuan is normally seen trying to pit the Malays against the Chinese, but apparently more and more Malaysians seem to be ignoring him.

“As such, he has now shifted his attention to trying to incite hatred between Christians and Buddhists instead,” Ng said in a press statement.

Ridhuan wrote in his ‘open mind’ (Buka minda) column published by Sinar Harian on Monday that many people carried warped perceptions of what was fair and unfair. He then condemned “ultra-kiasus,” his common reference for Chinese, for not talking about equal rights when it comes to houses of worship.

Ridhuan noted that since Christians only made up 10 percent of Malaysia’s population, then there should not be more churches than temples since Buddhist, Confucius and Taoist devotees made up 20 percent.

Tee did not cite where he had obtained these figures but the Muslim convert wrote that “we” - probably referring to government authority - give leeway and do not practice such calculations.

MCA’s Ng however said that it wants to remind Tee that the federal constitution guaranteed every Malaysian the right to practice his or her religious beliefs without fear of discrimination or prosecution.

“Ridhuan should also recognise the long process and procedures involved before any non-Muslim places of worship is granted approval by the local authorities,” Ng said.