總檢察署：捍衛伊斯蘭神聖，依布拉欣沒“煽動傾向”

【更新】總檢察署：捍衛伊斯蘭神聖‧依布拉欣沒“煽動傾向”

2014-10-28 09:16

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（雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也27日訊）總檢察署指出，土權主席依布拉欣阿里針對日落洞國中事件所發表的言論不在“煽動傾向”的定義範圍內，因為依布拉欣阿里只是為了捍衛伊斯蘭的神聖。

總檢察署今日發表文告解釋，一項言論在被指具有煽動傾向之前，應該與其發表的場合看作是一個整體，而不能從環境上分離。

文告說，依布拉欣阿里是在日落洞國中事件發生的情況下作出有關言論，總檢察署從整體範圍研究此案後認為，該言論不歸類為“煽動傾向”。

指無意引起宗教騷動

“明顯地，依布拉欣阿里無意引起宗教騷動，而只是為了捍衛伊斯蘭教的神聖。”

文告還引述依布拉欣阿里的談話“這並不是在煽情或想引起宗教騷動，而是為了捍衛伊斯蘭的神聖性，這顯然已在法律裡”，這佐證依布拉欣阿里的無意。

文告也說，該言論也不能滿足觸犯刑事法典504條文（故意污辱及破壞公共安寧）的要素，因為依布拉欣阿里無意侮辱和挑釁，使得公共秩序受到威脅。

文告指出，此外，依布拉欣阿里也沒有觸犯刑事法典第298條文（在多元宗教的社群中製造仇恨）和298A條文（危害對團結或和諧的維護），因為前者是為了捍衛伊斯蘭的神聖性。

考慮證據無須帶上庭

“在日落洞國中外公開免費派發聖經的行動可能會破壞那些對宗教缺乏知識的穆斯林學生的信仰，尤其是在有關聖經還包含爪夷文字的時候。”

在考慮這兩宗案件的事實和證據後，總檢察長認為，兩宗案件都不宜被帶上法庭。

非專派馬來學生
無法對付派聖經者

文告指出，去年1月21日，武吉丁雅警察局接獲投報，指依布拉欣阿里發表充公和焚燒含有“阿拉”字眼和一些阿拉伯文和爪夷文字的馬來版聖經的言論。

文告說，這是根據網絡媒體自由今日大馬於1月19日題為“土權主席告訴穆斯林：焚燒阿拉聖經”的文章而舉報。依布拉欣阿里是在檳城瑪拉工藝大學舉辦的土權大會發表上述言論。

在依布拉欣阿里發表談話之前，有人報警指1月17日下午1時，3名華裔男子在學校門前分發口袋型英文版聖經給國中學生，包括穆斯林學生。

在這2次報案後，警方展開調查，並將之歸類為刑事法典298A條文，並呈交報告給總檢察署，以進行後續行動。

有關日落洞案的報告已經於去年9月17日呈交給總檢察署，當局將投報列為“無法展開進一步行動”的案件，因為沒有確鑿的證據顯示，聖經只是發給馬來學生而已。

“當時的情況是，任何人都可以向嫌犯領取聖經，調查也顯示，嫌犯沒有意圖把聖經分發給馬來學生而已。因此不符合刑事法典298A條文以及1996年檳城伊斯蘭刑事條例第5條文的條件。”

12月3日，武吉丁雅警局針對依布拉欣阿里案件的調查呈交給總檢察署後，也被列為“無法展開進一步行動”的案件。

摘錄依布拉欣致詞內容

文告也摘錄依布拉欣阿里致詞時的談話，內容如下：

依布拉欣阿里致詞時說：“就如昨晚所說，我呼吁信奉伊斯蘭的馬來人，充公……充公和焚燒。這不是情緒化或要掀起宗教騷動，而是要依據法律中所闡明的條文，維護伊斯蘭的神聖。

“我們已經勸告，我們已經呼吁，我們已經強迫他們為所採取的行動負責任，但是還是發生，如果繼續發生，我只好希望穆斯林充公和焚燒。只有這個方法了。

“所以我希望昨晚發生的不再發生，以避免不愉快的事情發生。但是如果還是繼續，雖然他分派給非穆斯林學生，但是別派給穆斯林學生。如果國文版聖經出現｀阿拉’字眼，有一些爪夷文字如昨天那樣，我們將會充公，我們要求穆斯林充公和焚燒。”

“是的，聖經有爪夷文字會造成混淆，昨晚分派的是新約聖經，我們不是要吵架，是為了維護伊斯蘭。

“我呼吁他們所有負責任的人停止這麼做，他們必須向負責的人展示聖經，也就是製作成國文版的人，瞭解法令後才分發聖經，千萬別碰觸穆斯林感到敏感的事項。”

【本篇內容已在2014-10-28更新。】

（星洲日報）

来源： http://news.sinchew.com.my/node/393417?tid=1

Speaking about context, what about other sedition cases?

 COMMENTARY BY THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

Published: 27 October 2014

 
Datuk Ibrahim Ali's threat to burn Bibles containing the word 'Allah' last year 
was deemed to have been made in the context of defending Islam and hence 
it was acceptable. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, October 27, 2014

Context, the Attorney-General Chambers said today, was the important ingredient to consider when deciding whether Datuk Ibrahim Ali committed sedition when he threatened to burn bibles that contained the word "Allah" last year.

"As decided by the court, before a statement is said to have seditious tendencies, the statement must be viewed in the context it was made ...

"When studied in its entire context, Datuk Ibrahim's statement is not categorised as having seditious tendencies.

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"It was clear Datuk Ibrahim Ali had no intention to create religious tensions, but was only defending the purity of Islam‎," the AGC said, noting the Perkasa chief also said: "This is not a sentiment or (an attempt) to provoke religious tensions, but to defend the purity of Islam which is clearly (stated) in the laws."

"He also did not commit any offence under Section 298 or 298A of the Penal Code as he was clearly defending the purity of Islam."

Right. So the context is this, Ibrahim was not charged because he said he was not attempting to provoke religious tensions but was defending the purity of Islam.

Well, to put it in context, that is a half-baked explanation by the AGC, a comment after the fact.

In any court, this type of mitigation would have been laughed at.

Can the AGC explain what made the legally correct statement by the late Karpal Singh and academics Dr Azmi Shahrom and Dr Aziz Bari seditious? What was their context that made them liable for sedition?

In their statements thus far, none of these three stand-up individuals caused an affront to the dignity of another religion or community. Their words were factual and based on the law of the land.

Yet, one was convicted of sedition and the other two face sedition charges. And many others run the risk of being prosecuted without knowing the context of the offence.

But the one individual who has consistently caused the mercury of race and religion to rise in Malaysia is being defended by the AGC and the federal government.

How's that for context in Malaysia? – October 27, 2014.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/speaking-about-context-what-about-other-sedition-cases

Play ball or save credibility, ex-law minister Zaid tells Nancy

Published: 11 October 2014

De facto Law Minister Nancy Shukri was given the task of making unpopular statements on behalf of the government, and she did so in order to remain a minister, former cabinet member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who resigned from government on principle, said in his latest blog post.

Nancy, a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, was not entirely to blame for her statement explaining why Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali was not charged for threatening to burn Malay Bibles, but she was also "playing ball", said Zaid, a former de facto law minister in the Barisan Nasional government.

"She wants to remain a minister and she is prepared to play ball, and to do what is asked of her.

"Compromising her credibility as a lawyer is not too high a price to pay. To each his own," Zaid said in his blog.

Zaid was in the cabinet under Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration but quit in September 2008 over disagreements with the administration on the use of the now-repealed Internal Security Act.

Drawing from his experience, Zaid said it was likely that the police and Attorney-General (A-G) had used Nancy to issue the statement as they were unwilling to face public ire over the case.

"Her explanation for why the government would not act against Ibrahim Ali for his call to the burn Bibles was probably not her own idea.

"Knowing a little bit about how our Cabinet works, I suspect Nancy did not prepare the statement, but was told to use it since she is the person in charge of matters of law in the Prime Minister’s Department," said Zaid.

He said police must have been aware the public expected Ibrahim to be charged with sedition or under other provisions of the Penal Code.

"The police, realising the potential public outcry over the decision not to prosecute (Ibrahim), passed the buck to the A-G. After all, under our system of government, the final decision rests with the A-G.

"But the AG is also a smart cookie. He is not a cabinet member, nor does he occupy a seat in Parliament. He doesn’t need to explain the decisions he makes. He is not accountable to anyone, other than the prime minister."

Zaid said "the smart cookies" in the government then did what they have always done: ask the de facto law minister to take the rap.

He said he had faced a similar situation when he held the same position in 2008.

"They tried the same tactic with me on the ISA arrests, the Lingam tape case and other issues in 2008, and expected me to defend the decisions made and issue their statements.

"But I stood by what I believed in; naturally, I was not able to stand for long in the post!" said Zahid, who had resigned from the Cabinet that year and was later sacked from Umno.

But, Zaid said, Nancy would never "say no" as long as she was a minister, and that she believed it was her duty to make statements that her colleagues in the ruling government told her to.

On Tuesday, Nancy had said in a written parliamentary reply that police decided not to act against Ibrahim over his call last year to burn copies of the Bible containing the word “Allah” because he was merely defending Islam.

Nancy said police concluded that his words were only directed at specific individuals, and were not a threat to the larger society.

She said this in a written parliamentary reply to Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, who had asked if Ibrahim would be charged over remarks made in 2013 and if not, why.

The use of Islam as the reason not to prosecute Ibrahim has angered Christians, civil society and other Muslims.

Global Movement of Moderates CEO Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the government could not use Islam as an excuse not to charge Ibrahim, as his threat was not in line with the religion.

“Based on the verses of the Quran and the tradition of the Prophet, it is clear that the Minister’s argumentation does not reflect the true teachings of Islam and cannot be used to justify such statement from Datuk Ibrahim," said the former deputy higher education minister in a statement on Thursday. – October 11, 2014.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/play-ball-or-save-credibility-ex-law-minister-zaid-tells-nancy

When pigs walked upright, wore clothes and...flew

Created On Friday, 10 October 2014 07:00

Published Date

Written By Super User

Category: Columnist

Haris Ibrahim

No criminal action against Ibrahim Ali for calling on Muslims to seize and burn copies of the Holy Bible.

No action against Federal Territories Umno Youth chief, Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii, for threatening to burn down the DAP headquarters

No action against Petaling Jaya Utara Umno deputy division chief, Mohamad Azli Mohemed Saad, for demanding that all vernacular schools be closed.

All this no-action business takes me back some 37 years to my English Literature class.

George Orwell’s 'Animal Farm' was compulsory reading and would be examinable in our then Malaysian Certificate of Examination (MCE).

The other compulsory reading text for which we would be examined was  'Cry, the Beloved Country' by Alan Paton.

Obviously, Dr Mahathir had not yet the influence then to remove these wonderfully-inspiring and instructive books from the syllabus for young Malaysian minds.

For those unfamiliar with 'Animal Farm', let me say it is a wonderful story of how the animals on a farm revolted, drove out the human owner and took over the farm, renaming it 'Animal Farm'.

The animals adopted the Seven Commandments of Animalism as their constitution of sorts, the most important of which was, "All animals are equal."

Yes, the pigs and the horses and the donkeys, the dogs and the chickens were all equal.

Oh, and contact and dealings with human beings, known as parasites, was forbidden.

For a while, things went well.

Food was aplenty, enough for all.

Then the pigs decided to elevate themselves to a position of pre-eminence.

More and better food for themselves, whilst the other animals were urged to work harder so that they could look forward to better days ahead.

Yes, all animals were equal, but then "Some are more equal than others." became the new mantra.

And, in time, even a hierarchy amongst the pigs began to emerge, with some more equal than others.

In time, the pigs came to take on the ways of the parasite humans, walking upright and clothed.

They had become the new subjugators.

I have looked up the speeches of our beloved Tunku Abdul Rahman, both on the Independence Day of Malaya on 31st August, 1957 and, later, on Malaysia Day on 16th September, 1963.

Nothing in either suggests that we are ever intended to be anything other than a nation of equals.

I have searched through the Federal Constitution.

Again, there is nothing there to sustain any contention that whilst we are all equal, some might be more equal than others.

Article 153?

No.

It does not create rights, but places a duty on the Yang DiPertuan Agung to strike a balance in working out a policy of affirmative action to safeguard the ‘special position’ of the Malays and of the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak, and the "legitimate interests" of the other communities.

So from where do we now discern the much-spoken-of  ‘hak istimewa orang Melayu’ ?

And is this ‘hak istimewa orang Melayu’ why Ibrahim Ali, Mohd Razlan and Mohamad Azli can say what they will, with total impunity?

Wait a minute!

Adam Adli is Malay.

Safwan Anang is Malay.

Azmi Sharom is Malay.

So what gives?

Or…has life imitated art?

Could it be that, like the pigs in Animal Farm, emerging from the fictional and totally baseless ‘hak istimewa orang Melayu' is a more elitist class, the ‘hak istimewa Melayu Umno’ ?

Source: http://rakyattimes.com/index.php/columnist/1376-when-pigs-walked-upright-wore-clothes-and-flew-haris-ibrahim

Islamist extremists now above the law, says Sarawak minister

BY DESMOND DAVIDSON

Published: 9 October 2014

Putrajaya’s contention that police did not take action against Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali over his call to burn copies of the Bible containing the word "Allah" because he was merely defending Islam has placed Islamist extremists above the law, a senior Sarawak Barisan Nasional minister said today.

“So now it is acceptable to burn the Bibles, insult believers of other faiths and do disrespectful acts in defence of the sanctity of Islam,” Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing (pic, right) said in reaction to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri’s written parliamentary reply on Monday to a question by Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng on why Ibrahim had not been charged with sedition.

“Never mind the sanctity of other religions?

“How did Malaysia arrive at this socio-religious situation?” he asked.

Masing said Malaysia's “founding fathers would turn in their graves if they found out what is happening to Malaysia today”.

“Let us all bring Malaysia to the time when people of different faiths were free to practise their faiths in peace and religious bigots were non-existent.”

A Malaysian Insider reader, who goes by the name samng2, in his reaction posted this message for Nancy: “Hello Nancy. Threaten(ing) to burn other religion's holy books to defend (one’s) own religion does not make any sense.

“Logically, for one to make such a threat means that the physical holy book itself or the content in it posed a serious threat to Islam.

“In short, this holy book cannot exist. Now, if it is that serious, why haven't other Muslims in the world burned such holy books a thousand years ago?

“Clearly, he (Ibrahim Ali) is not defending Islam. He made a threat against Christianity on his own accord. So please Nancy. It's people like you from the ruling government that keep insulting the intelligence of the public. (A) bad excuse is better than none?”

Nancy said police decided not to take action against Ibrahim because they concluded that his words were only directed at specific individuals, and were not a threat to the larger society.

She also told Lim that Ibrahim's action "was not intended to cause religious chaos but only to defend the sanctity of Islam".

Ibrahim's call in January last year prompted outrage from politicians and Christian groups, with critics accusing Putrajaya of double-standards in using the Sedition Act against critics while sparing Ibrahim over his remarks. – October 9, 2014.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/police-inaction-over-bible-burning-threat-places-islamic-extremists-above-t

Christians say not prosecuting Ibrahim Ali gives carte blanche to extremists

Published: 9 October 2014

Malaysia's main Christian group today expressed outrage over Putrajaya's inaction to prosecute Datuk Ibrahim Ali for his threat to burn Bibles, saying it gave carte blanche to extremists to threaten Christianity and other religions.

"The Christian Federation of Malaysia on behalf of Christians in Malaysia is outraged at the fact that threats to burn our Holy Bible are considered an act in defence of Islam.

"The CFM feels strongly that this position is irresponsible as it gives carte blanche or free rein to other extremists to do likewise, not just to Christians but to any other religious community that is not Muslim," the CFM said in a statement today.

It added that by "no logic or rationalisation and under no circumstances whatsoever can a threat or call to violent action, desecration of another Malaysian citizen's sacred text be considered defensive".

"We strongly protest against the obviously inexcusable position adopted by the government, " it said.

The Christian body was responding to Putrajaya's excuse in not prosecuting Ibrahim over his call last year to burn copies of the Bible containing the word "Allah", saying that the Perkasa president was merely defending Islam.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of law Nancy Shukri said in a parliamentary written reply yesterday that the police concluded that Ibrahim's words were only directed at specific individuals, and not a threat to larger society.

"The statement he made was not intended to cause religious chaos but only to defend the sanctity of Islam," she replied to a question by Bagan MP, Lim Guan Eng, on why Ibrahim had not been charged with sedition.

Ibrahim's call in January last year prompted outrage from politicians and Christian groups, with critics accusing Putrajaya of double-standards in using the Sedition Act against only those who criticised the government while sparing Ibrahim over his remarks.

Nancy, replying on behalf of the prime minister, said investigations by the police into Ibrahim's statement found that what he had said was aimed at the activities of some individuals who allegedly distributed Christian literature outside a school in Penang.

Taking offence with Nancy's reply, CFM today called on parliamentarians to table a motion of censure against the minister for her "scandalous and irresponsible" statement.

"We call upon all right thinking Members of Parliament, irrespective of their ethnicity, religious background or political affiliation to join in passing a motion of censure against the minister for making such a scandalous and irresponsible statement," CFM said.

Meanwhile, the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) said that the minister had made a mockery of Putrajaya's calls for moderation and mutual respect between the religions in the country.

"In the name of civility, any public statement made that threatens the burning of holy books of any religious community is not only repugnant but highly inflammatory. It should never be tolerated," it said in a statement.

"It is sad that the honourable de facto Law Minister, Nancy Shukri, had defended Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali’s call to burn Bibles as committing no wrong in a statement in Parliament." – October 9, 2014

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/christians-say-not-prosecuting-ibrahim-ali-gives-carte-blanche-to-extremist

北海市局警踪处处，土权不见人，没烧圣经

2013-01-27 18:11

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  北海市政局大草场一个人都没有，其四週围只有大批的便衣警员在驻守。（图：星洲日报）

1 of 2

（檳城‧北海27日讯）土著权威组织號召穆斯林今日到北海市政局集体焚烧马来版圣经以示抗议，结果不见人影，连土权组织也没有人到场。

檳城警方一早派人到北海市政局周围驻守，並且出动直升机从空中巡视以防万一，由檳州总警长亲自坐镇，然而现场一片平静，没有任何事发生。

檳州总警长拿督拉欣韩那菲强调，警方在全国共接获7宗有关要焚烧马来版圣经的投报，所以肯定会在本星期內传召土权会主席依布拉欣阿里录取口供协助调查此案件。

他说，警方將会援引刑事法典298A（即企图破坏和谐与团结，引起不满或宗教偏见）条文调查此案。

他说，警方是本月22日，接获投报指有人在网上及在市面上分发宣传海报，呼吁穆斯林在今日（27日）早上10时30分，在北海市政局集合，集体焚烧马来版圣经以示抗议。

他说，警方也在本月24日发出禁令阻止举行有关集会，结果今早並没有发生任何事件。

“虽然如此，檳州警方今早还是做足准备工作，调动大批警员及出动直升机在北海上空盘旋进行侦察行动。＂

拉欣韩那菲今早亲自到北海进行视察后，在新闻发佈会上发表谈话。

感谢听劝取消行动

他表示感谢穆斯林听取警方的劝告取消有关行动，因为大家都喜爱和平及和睦共处。

询及警方是从何处接获有关情报时，他表示正在进行调查中。

本报尝试致电依布拉欣但手机无人接听，另一方面，一名土权组织成员到旧关仔角出席一场宗教活动，被记者追问此事时，也避而不谈。（星洲日报）

来源：http://instant.sinchew.com.my/node/357122

Umno-Perkasa alliance to boost votes?

K Pragalath

 | January 23, 2013

The public should not be blamed for thinking that Perkasa is playing up the Malay bible issue to benefit Umno, says a scholar.

PETALING JAYA: With Chinese voters having turned their backs on the ruling coalition and the Indian votes hanging in the balance, is Umno working with Perkasa to shore up Malay support ahead of the polls?

Nottingham University communication professor Zaharom Nain said the public cannot be faulted for making such an assumption.

“You can’t blame the thinking people because it appears to be so,” he told FMT.

Zaharom was commenting on Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali’s call on Muslims to burn the Malay bibles containing the term Allah.

While some viewed this as an attempt to rally Malay/Muslim sentiments, there were also those who claimed that it could be an attempt to divert attention from the Royal Commission of Inquiry in Sabah.

Zaharom said that Umno should clear the air about its links with Perkasa.

“Barisan Nasional component parties have also failed to come out strongly against Ibrahim because he is backed by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is still influential,” he added.

Alliance would backfire

Monash University’s Prof James Chin warned that the Perkasa-Umno alliance would backfire on BN.

“It is not going to help Umno since Ibrahim is attempting to start another May 13,” he added.

He said that the move would not change the Chinese vote bank as “the Chinese have long deserted BN.”

UCSI’s political analyst Ong Kian Ming was also confident that Umno was backing Ibrahim and Perkasa.

“Umno has always outsourced its extremist policies, it thinks [of these things] but can’t say [them] because by doing so they would alienate the non-Muslim voters,” said the DAP election strategist.

Chin and Zaharom had mixed views on the current controversy in relation to the ongoing RCI in Sabah regarding the granting of citizenship to immigrants.

Chin felt that the issue would not affect the coverage on the RCI.

“The RCI would be ongoing until after the general election. The findings would be mind blowing,” he said.

Zaharom, however, said: “It is more than coincidental for Ibrahim to rant while the RCI is ongoing.”

Umno had always distanced itself from Perkasa but observers remain unconvinced, especially since the movement appeared to enjoy the privilege of legal immunity in churning out sensitive remarks.

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/01/23/umno-perkasa-alliance-to-boost-votes/

Why Bible-burning poser is bridge-burning in multi-religious Malaysia

Posted by Aliran on 22 January 2013

In a joint statement, Aliran, Sisters in Islam, Islamic Renaissance Front and Projek Dialoghave condemned Perkasa’s call to burn Malay-language Bibles as an abominable provocation.

Graphic courtesy of themalaysianinsider.com

We are appalled by the vile exhortation of right-wing Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali to fellow Muslims to burn Malay-language Bibles containing the word “Allah” in the continuing saga of the contentious use of the term in Malaysia.

This dangerous and reckless provocation will only court the zealotry of the bigots and consequently tear apart the existing fragile harmony among Malaysians of various ethnic and religious backgrounds. Religious conflicts do not get resolved amicably and effectively by rabble rousing and dangerous antics such as the proposed torching of the holy books of believers.

The alleged distribution of Malay Bibles to Muslim children in a secondary school in Penang – yet to be verified – may have understandably caused deep concern among the Muslim community and requires immediate investigation, but it certainly doesn’t justify the burning of the Holy Bible. The provocation is mischievously intended to ignite hatred and extremism.

An understanding and appreciation of non-Muslim communities, which is so necessary for unity and harmony, cannot be promoted effectively by committing a sacrilegious act of burning holy books that are revered by their respective believers. In fact, this proposed act by Perkasa goes against the very teachings of most revealed religions including Islam.

The burning of holy books is an abominable act that cannot be justified. This was why the proposed burning of the Qur’an by an irresponsible pastor in Florida, USA some two years ago, for instance, received the well-deserved condemnation not only from Muslims but also from the majority of the right-thinking Christians and followers of other faiths.

This abominable call to burn the Bible becomes all the more despicable and sinister when it is intended to shore up the crumbling political fortunes of Umno-BN by manipulating the emotions of the Malay-Muslims, and also to divert the public’s attention away from the recent revelation of citizenship-for-votes in Sabah. Indeed, it is dangerous and mischievous to incite ethno-religious sentiments at the altar of political expediency. Additionally, it is feared that this proposed burning may provide an ugly precedent to the burning of other holy books in future particularly those of the Sikh community, which uses the word “Allah” in its religious texts.

In the interest of the future of Malaysia, and its ethno-religious diversity and harmony, peace-loving Malaysians, irrespective of creed and colour, must condemn this Perkasa provocation unreservedly. We must send a clear signal that the majority of Malaysians are accommodating and tolerant people who will not be taken in by this despicable act of recklessness.

Jointly released by:

Aliran, Sisters in Islam, Islamic Renaissance Front and Projek Dialog (an IRF initiative)
22 January 2013

If your organisation would like to endorse this statement, please send an email to aliran.malaysia at yahoo dot com by 29 January 2013

Source: http://aliran.com/11367.html

CFM MEDIA STATEMENT: PROPOSED BIBLE-BURNING AN ABHORRENT ACT

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA
(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)
Address: 26 Jalan Universiti, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Mobile : + 6016 3689543
Email: cfmsia@yahoo.co.uk

22nd January 2013
   
CFM MEDIA STATEMENT

PROPOSED BIBLE-BURNING AN ABHORRENT ACT  

This morning a notice was found in the post box of a Christian priest in Butterworth which
provided information that there would be a "pesta" of burning the Bahasa Melayu version of
the Bible and inviting people to attend.

This terrible event is to be held this Sunday 27th January 2013 at 10am in front of the Dewan
Ahmad Badawi at the Bagan Luar municipality field in Butterworth.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia vehemently abhors this Bible-burning proposed action
which was first mooted by the Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali who is also the Member of
Parliament for Pasir Mas and now it seems someone or a group (the Anti-Bahasa Melayu
Bible Action Group) has threatened to make Bible-burning a reality this Sunday on a day
most sacred to Christians as they worship the Almighty God.

All religious Scriptures are sacred books and we should not threaten to burn them or to
desecrate any such holy book in any manner.  

Christians are peace-loving people who will continue to seek peace and harmony across all
religious groups for the well-being of our great country. We pray that good sense and
moderation will prevail for all people in times such as these.

We call on those who desire to foment hatred for political gain to cease and desist from such
a vile act -  an act unbecoming of us as Malaysians who uphold the Rukunegara of  which the
first pillar is "Belief in God".  

CFM encourages all Malaysians and especially the Christians to be in prayer that such a thing
will not happen in our beloved Malaysia.  

May the Almighty God confound the plans of such devious people who threaten to burn the
Holy Scripture of the Christians in the Bahasa Melayu version.

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

‘Ibrahim a menace to national security’

G Vinod

 | January 21, 2013

Father Lawrence Andrew of The Herald draws attention to fact that PM Najib has okayed the use of the al-Kitab among Christians.

PETALING JAYA: Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali is a menace to national security, said Father Lawrence Andrew, editor of weekly Catholic newspaper, The Herald.

“Action must be taken against Ibrahim for fanning religious discord,” said Father Lawrence.

The Herald which enjoys a circulation of about 14,000 copies nearly lost its publishing licence for using the word ‘Allah’ as a translation for ‘God’ in its Malay language Bibles.

On Saturday, at Perkasa a convention in Penang, Ibrahim caused a stir when he urged Muslims to burn the al-Kitab (Malay-language Bibles) containing the word ‘Allah’.

His statement drew condemnation from various quarters, with civil rights lawyer Syahredzan Johan calling for Ibrahim to be investigated under the Penal Code and the Sedition Act.

Father Lawrence said that Article 11 of the Federal Constitution guarantees the freedom of worship to all Malaysians and how they managed their respective religious affairs.

“And the use of the al-Kitab (Bible) is protected under the Constitution.What Ibrahim said goes against the highest law of the land,” he said.

Ibrahim is not above the Cabinet

Father Andrew added that even Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, via a letter in 2011, had okayed Christians to use the al-Kitab, after a meeting with the Cabinet.

“Najib is clear about it. Ibrahim is not higher than the Cabinet,” said Father Andrew.

Mar Thoma-Syrian Church of Malaysia’s senior priest Thomas Phillips said that it was sad and disgusting for someone to call for the burning of another’s religious scripture.

“If you’re not happy with something, hold dialogues instead of creating fear and animosity,” said Phillips.

He urged the authorities to look into the matter as his comments does not bode well for the government’s image.

“But Malaysians are fair minded people and I believe that good sense will prevail,” said Phillips.

Whether he would lodge a police report on the matter, Phillips said: “We learn to forgive people. Some say things out of ignorance. We’ll tell our members to be patient.”

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/01/21/ibrahim-a-menace-to-national-security/