Ku Nan, please slam all bigots, not selectively
Ravinder SinghPublished: Jan 18, 2015 7:43 AM | Updated: Jan 18, 2015 7:50 AM
So, finally someone could not stand Perkasa’s bigotry and had to slam them. Hopefully, it is for real.
Yes, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, one temple won’t change Putrajaya’s population into Hindus. Similarly, one gurdwara will not change Bukit Beruntung’s population into Sikhs.
The Sikhs in Bukit Beruntung want to build a gurdwara on a piece of land that belongs to them and is gazetted for religious purposes. Hardly had they finished putting up a perimeter wall when a banner was found hanging on it, to the effect that certain people are protesting the building of a Sikh place of worship.
The reason for the protest is said to be that it lies in the “kiblat” of a mosque in that area (not next door or even close by), as if the said compass direction is a flight path that must be left clear of all structures for several miles ahead.
Now, when someone wants to create a fuss out of nothing, all kinds of excuses are cooked up. What are these people really up to? Are they working independently or are there hidden hands pulling the strings?
The problem is that when bigots first started raising their heads, they were let off on the excuse that they were defending their religion and it is not wrong to do so.
This blessing of their bigotry went to their heads and now they have become so brazen that matters which had never been an issue before are being maliciously turned into issues.
Even a non-Malay girl wearing a baju kurung uniform to school is a big issue, although non-Malay girls have been wearing it since decades ago.
However, there is one thing that has not become an issue, and I wonder why? Money - notes and coins in circulation.
Different sets of notes and coins?
These are handled by pork sellers, beef sellers, believers and non-believers, thieves and holy men. Yet not a whisper has been heard that there must be different sets of coins and notes for different people.
Even if Bank Negara Malaysia could produce different sets of notes and coins, how would their handling in the marketplace be controlled so that any given set of notes and coins is not soiled by touching anything unholy?
So, could Ku Nan please lash out at all bigots wherever they are?
As Bukit Beruntung is in Selangor, the menteri besar should ensure that the building of the gurdwara is not hindered in any way, by anybody.
Officers responsible for the approval of plans and permits could become intimidated by the protest banners.
As such, it is hoped that the MB will take it upon himself to ensure all assistance is given for the successful construction of this place of worship and that the extremism demonstrated by the hanging of the banner(s) is not tolerated, as stated in his New Year message.
The PM, too, must walk the talk - which it is high time for him to do - to give meaning to his recent message, “I would like to stress that here in Malaysia, we will not accept any religious provocation or any acts which threaten or insult any religion done in the name of freedom of expression. There are limits to freedom.”
Therefore, putting up banners protesting the construction of any place of worship on land gazetted for religious purposes is religious provocation, for the constitution provides freedom of religion and to practice this, people need places of worship.
Yes, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, one temple won’t change Putrajaya’s population into Hindus. Similarly, one gurdwara will not change Bukit Beruntung’s population into Sikhs.
The Sikhs in Bukit Beruntung want to build a gurdwara on a piece of land that belongs to them and is gazetted for religious purposes. Hardly had they finished putting up a perimeter wall when a banner was found hanging on it, to the effect that certain people are protesting the building of a Sikh place of worship.
The reason for the protest is said to be that it lies in the “kiblat” of a mosque in that area (not next door or even close by), as if the said compass direction is a flight path that must be left clear of all structures for several miles ahead.
Now, when someone wants to create a fuss out of nothing, all kinds of excuses are cooked up. What are these people really up to? Are they working independently or are there hidden hands pulling the strings?
The problem is that when bigots first started raising their heads, they were let off on the excuse that they were defending their religion and it is not wrong to do so.
This blessing of their bigotry went to their heads and now they have become so brazen that matters which had never been an issue before are being maliciously turned into issues.
Even a non-Malay girl wearing a baju kurung uniform to school is a big issue, although non-Malay girls have been wearing it since decades ago.
However, there is one thing that has not become an issue, and I wonder why? Money - notes and coins in circulation.
Different sets of notes and coins?
These are handled by pork sellers, beef sellers, believers and non-believers, thieves and holy men. Yet not a whisper has been heard that there must be different sets of coins and notes for different people.
Even if Bank Negara Malaysia could produce different sets of notes and coins, how would their handling in the marketplace be controlled so that any given set of notes and coins is not soiled by touching anything unholy?
So, could Ku Nan please lash out at all bigots wherever they are?
As Bukit Beruntung is in Selangor, the menteri besar should ensure that the building of the gurdwara is not hindered in any way, by anybody.
Officers responsible for the approval of plans and permits could become intimidated by the protest banners.
As such, it is hoped that the MB will take it upon himself to ensure all assistance is given for the successful construction of this place of worship and that the extremism demonstrated by the hanging of the banner(s) is not tolerated, as stated in his New Year message.
The PM, too, must walk the talk - which it is high time for him to do - to give meaning to his recent message, “I would like to stress that here in Malaysia, we will not accept any religious provocation or any acts which threaten or insult any religion done in the name of freedom of expression. There are limits to freedom.”
Therefore, putting up banners protesting the construction of any place of worship on land gazetted for religious purposes is religious provocation, for the constitution provides freedom of religion and to practice this, people need places of worship.
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