Advice from Bishop Ng Moon Hing for Malaysian Christians to vote wisely in 13th General Elections

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)
Address: 10, Jalan 11/9, Section 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Telephone: (03) 7957 1278, (03) 7957 1463, Fax: (03) 7957 1457
Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk


18th July 2012
CFM LETTER TO THE MALAYSIAN CHURCHES & CHRISTIANS
ON THE FORTHCOMING 13th GENERAL ELECTIONS
VOTE WISELY, VOTE FOR A BETTER MALAYSIA

In the first two chapters of Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament, we read
of two separate accounts of God giving to Adam rule and authority over the
earth and all that live in it.  In the first book of the New Testament, the Gospel
according to St. Matthew, chapter 5 and verses 13 to 15, Christians are told that
they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

These two passages and the collective message of our Holy Scripture point to
the inescapable conclusion that Christians have a duty to protect and safeguard
the earth, and all that live in it.  Christians have not only been granted rights of
leadership, but also the responsibility of stewardship.

In the context of the nation state, Christians, like other citizens, have been
granted certain rights, including the right to participate in the democratic
process of a country. This right to participate must be balanced with the
responsibility of exercising that right, and doing so wisely.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) therefore invites and encourages
all Christians to be conscious of their political rights – to vote, and to use the
power of the vote to elect a government that will ensure justice with equity and
the well-being of our nation.  The CFM is not politically motivated nor is it
endorsing any one political party.

It is of fundamental importance in a democracy, that citizens actually exercise
their right to vote. Having the right to vote without utilising it is of little use.
Voting ensures that every Malaysian citizen participates in bringing about a
more just and equitable Malaysia for succeeding generations to come.
Therefore, it is important that as Christians, we undertake our duty as citizens
and exercise our right to vote and express our preference for a political coalition
that will best achieve our vision of a better Malaysia.

In terms of our vision for a better Malaysia, CFM encourages Malaysian
Christians to think about the following priorities:

●  A nation guided by the ethics of respect for human dignity. This means a
nation where its citizens are engaged fairly as equals, and their rights
respected in accordance with the provisions as guaranteed under the
Federal Constitution. Such a nation treats its citizens with understanding,
honesty and mutual respect.

●   A nation where extremism of all kinds is rejected and quickly curtailed.
Racial and religious bigotry, manipulation and lies that have now come to
define the social sphere, the print media and political posturing must end
immediately.

●  A nation free of corruption, putting in place strengthened state and public
institutions whose members conduct themselves with integrity,
transparency and accountability.

●   A nation that works towards the fair and equitable distribution of wealth
and ensuring well-being for all, regardless of citizenship status, ethnicity
or creed. Every citizen and every community should be empowered and
enabled to pursue economic activity and achieve advancement duly and
fairly supported by the government where needed and necessary without
favour or discrimination and without being overly or unfairly supported
by the state.

●   A nation where care for the environment is privileged over self-seeking
capitalism and where its political leaders weigh all decisions with
ecological interest and sustainability as an essential aspect of
development.

● A nation where language and education are de-linked from political
expedience.

●   A nation where elitism and inequality is not rampant and people are
recognised and respected as human beings and not discriminated against
due to social position, educational attainment, political beliefs, gender,
race or religion.

●  A nation where religious freedom to profess, practice and propagate one’s
religion is allowed to flourish without undue curtailment from the law,
restrictions or even prohibition.

The CFM encourages Christians to pray that good leaders will emerge from
the 13th general elections who will not only fulfill the above criteria, but who 
have the interest of our beloved nation and its people as their first and only
priority.

Malaysians today are better educated, politically and socially more aware,
and geographically more mobile than at any time in our history, and these
have led to a citizenry that is more knowledgeable and experienced.
Churches have a responsibility to help guide their congregations to use their
wisdom in the exercise of their right to vote in order to bring about a nation
where all Malaysians, and those who choose to make their living in this
country,  can live in harmony and prosperity,  peace and justice.

May the grace and the peace of God be with you.

Bishop Datuk Ng Moon Hing
Chairman and the Executive Committee
The Christian Federation of Malaysia