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

天主教先锋报“阿拉”字眼 - 東馬大法官：符合司法條件，理應發出上訴准令

2014-06-24 09:50

（布城23日訊）東馬大法官丹斯里里察馬拉尊說，申請人已經達到1964年法庭司法法令96條文要求，理應發出上訴準令，而天主教會所提出的論據應獲得進一步討論的機會，包括這些法律對公共重要性的程度，以及需要在聯邦法院解決的必要性。

• 聚集在司法宮外的土權成員在獲悉聯邦法院的判決後歡呼。（圖：星洲日報）

他在書面判詞中同意天主教會所提出的28道問題中，一些出現重疊，但這類技術性問題可在全面審訊時獲得解決。

他說，雖然上訴庭推翻高庭裁決，但3名法官之間也出現不同意見，特別是申請人在憲法保障下的權益，這點值得進一步釐清。

他指出，雖然部長援引出版法令所賦予他的權限下達“阿拉”字眼禁令，但同時間馬來文文版和錫克文版聖經仍使用有關字眼。

至於部長指可能危及國家安全，他認為公共秩序和國家安全不能同等，部長的說詞不能天馬行空而要有具體的根據。

“此案僅涉及馬來文版的《先鋒報》，但上訴庭的裁決似乎涵蓋所有人，包括禁止所有非穆斯林使用阿拉字眼。”

他表示，如此一來，更多宗教團體將受到影響，其權益也沒獲得保障，如仍使用這個字眼的錫克教徒，而相關宗教團體並沒有參與此案。

陳國華：申請符門檻要求
《先鋒報》應獲批准令

聯邦法院法官丹斯里陳國華表示，此案非常清楚和直接，即不管在高庭或上訴庭階段，所爭論的重點皆為內政部長是否有權禁止《先鋒報》使用“阿拉”字眼，而天主教會的申請，已符合1964年法庭司法法令96條文所闡明的上訴門檻要求，因此他認為應批准上訴准令。

1964年法庭司法法令96（a）及（b）條文一般為上訴准令申請所須參考的條文，它規定申請者所提出的法律問題，須是重要的課題及聯邦法院裁決涉及公眾利益，而有關裁決會影響聯邦憲法條款。

陳國華在書面判詞中指出，高庭及上訴庭針對此案雖有不同裁決，但聯邦法院應回答和憲法有關的問題，而在准令階段，不應急忙爭論案情和法律問題，相反日後還有空間可討論，因此現階段可批准上訴准令。

再潤：讓課題獲一步討論

聯邦法院法官拿督再潤強調不同宗教信仰者應克制、堅定各自的宗教信仰教條，以及保持冷靜與和平地與其他人和諧地生活在大家所愛的國家裡。

她在書面判詞中認為，現階段應批准上訴準令給天主教會，以便該課題獲得進一步討論，及以友好的方式解決。

再潤是3名持不同意見的法官中，唯一一位穆斯林及女法官。

她說，此案是一個很好的機會仔細研究法庭是否無司法權檢討內政部長所發出的禁令，即援引1984年印刷及出版法令賦予的部長權限，禁止教會使用“阿拉”字眼。

她強調，那些涉及公共秩序或公共安全的案件，即使行政單位或部長已作出決定，仍可獲得公開討論及檢視，而此案更是牽涉到需要公開討論的憲法議題。

如果駁回上訴准令申請，那些重要的法律課題仍將模糊不清或沒獲得糾正機會。

吁勿再挑“阿拉”字眼課題
土權盼爭議平息

土著權威組織主席拿督依布拉欣阿里說，隨著聯邦法院拒絕發出上訴准令給《先鋒報》後，他希望有關“阿拉”字眼的爭議能畫上休止符。

他說，希望在聯邦法院作出裁決後，沒有人再挑起“阿拉”字眼的課題。

“我們的立場很堅決，他們可以以其他語文編寫聖經及傳教，但卻不可以編寫馬來文版聖經傳教，更加不可以在伊斯蘭的框架外使用阿拉這個神聖的字眼。”

他強調，他們並不是要反天主教，只是維護“阿拉”

字眼是一名穆斯林的信念，任何穆斯林都應該挺身而出捍衛“阿拉”這一字眼，確保只有穆斯林能夠使用這個字眼。

他希望隨著這項爭議平息後，天主教與伊斯蘭能夠重新像過去一般互相尊重及和平相處。

土權約200名成員在清晨5時30分左右就陸續到聯邦法院外等候判決，在上午10時左右，他們得知聯邦法院的裁決後高聲歡呼，一些婦女甚至喜極而泣。他們在10時30分左右陸續散去。

抨林冠英支持“阿拉”字眼

另外，依布拉欣也批評檳城首長林冠英在去年聖誕節期間呼吁中央政府允許在馬來文版聖經使用“阿拉”字眼去稱呼上帝的聲明，並挑戰民聯州政府如若要支持馬來文版本聖經，請關閉他們所在州屬的多源流學校。

“如果他們真的這麼重視國語，我挑戰他們關閉所有母語學校，並讓所有學生到國民學校上課。”

另一方面，依布拉欣也揶揄伊斯蘭黨雖然在“阿拉”字眼課題上與土權抱持同一立場，但卻因擔心流失選票而沒有派任何代表到司法宮，並自誇土權比起伊斯蘭黨更加虔誠。

【本篇內容已在2014-06-24更新。】

来源：http://news.sinchew.com.my/topic/node/441050?tid=482

Alvivi are not "children of a lesser God' - Bishop slams government's double standards

Monday, 22 July 2013 17:03

Weighing on the case of two bloggers hauled to court on a charge of insulting Islam, Bishop Paul Tan cautioned that double standards are immoral as this is an affront to justice.

While retribution was swift in this case, the head of the Johor and Malacca Catholic diocese lamented the lack of action when other faiths are derided.

Tan cited the controversies involving Perkasa leaders Ibrahim Ali and Zulkifli Noordin.

Both had earned the wrath of the bishop when Ibrahim called for the torching of the Bible carrying the word "Allah" and Zulkifli for belittling the Hindu faith.

"While we abhor the disparaging of any faith, the government must show that it works without fear or favour in acting against all those who do so.

"In the case of (bloggers) Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee, retribution was swift, but I note with regret that such action was never taken against Zulkifli and Ibrahim," Tan told Malaysiakini.

Infamous for posting photos of their sexual romps online, the bloggers landed in hot soup over a Facebook photo that was deemed offensive to Muslims.

The couple was slapped with three charges, including one under the Sedition Act, last week and denied bail.

'Children of a lesser god'

The bishop said while Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak promoted his 1Malaysia campaign nationwide, attempts to foster racial ties would come to naught if the law was applied on an unequal basis.

"To prove that all citizens are equal before the law, the authorities must charge Zulkifli and Ibrahim, failing which it would create the impression that non-Muslims (in Malaysia) are considered children of a lesser God.

"We cannot tolerate anyone belittling another's belief, for such action not only stokes religious tension, it also transgresses the fundamentals of our beliefs, which stress on the importance of according mutual respect," Tan added.

He also expressed regret that Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee, or Alvivi as they are together called, were denied bail, even after having apologised for their actions.

On the other hand, the vocal bishop said Ibrahim, who never apologised, still walked free while in the case of Zulkifli, an apology was deemed sufficient.

Police last week revealed that investigations against Zulkifli were dropped on the instructions of the attorney-general.

Najib later named Zulkifi as the BN candidate for the Shah Alam parliamentary seat in the 13th general election, while Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, in defending the candidature, stressed that the Perkasa leader had apologised for his action.

As for Ibrahim, police have said there was no instruction from the AG for them to act.

Source: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=132952%3Aalvivi-are-not-children-of-a-lesser-god-bishop-slams-govts-double-standards&Itemid=2#ixzz2ZmnPIXRk

Appalled by Umno leaders’ stand, Christians ask Cabinet to enforce 10-point solution to Allah issue

BY V. ANBALAGAN, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
JULY 20, 2013
LATEST UPDATE: JULY 20, 2013 06:26 PM

Malaysia's largest Christian group wants Putrajaya to enforce an agreed 10-point solution on the usage of the Arabic word "Allah" by the community, saying today it was appalled by statements made by two Umno leaders on the matter.

Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng said statements by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan "were untenable and in flagrant disregard of the 10-point
solution decided by the Cabinet in April 2011".

"The use of the word “Allah” in the Al-Kitab is NOT and has NEVER been an error of printing as claimed by the Honourable Minister. Such a suggestion is insensitive, insulting and inflammatory.

"We reiterate that it is the express right of the Christian community to use the word 'Allah'," Eu said in a statement today.

"It is offensive and unacceptable for the Honourable Minister to attempt to justify the call by Ibrahim Ali to burn our Holy Scripture by saying that our Holy Scripture contains errors in printing," he added.

Eu pointed out that the 10 points were specifically communicated to the CFM in a letter dated 11 April 2011 from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The letter was enclosed in the statement.

"It is offensive and unacceptable for the Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan to attempt to justify Ibrahim Ali's call to burn our Holy Scripture by saying that our Holy Scripture contains errors in
printing," Eu said.

He said Mukhriz was reported to have forbidden non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” in his state as it is unconstitutional.

"The Federal Constitution gives the right to every individual to profess and practise his religion and also gives every religious group the right to manage its own religious affairs," he added.

Eu said the cabinet must honour and enforce all aspects of the 10-point solution and ensure it is followed all levels of government and authorities.

"The rights guaranteed to all religious communities under the Federal Constitution must be respected in all states in our beloved country, including Kedah," he said.

In the 10-point resolution, the cabinet, through its minister Datuk Seri Idris Jala, assured the sizeable Bumiputera Christian population in Sabah and Sarawak that they were free to bring in and use their
bibles in Malay as well as in indigenous languages.

The Court of Appeal will hear on August 22 the government's appeal to a High Court decision in 2009 that allowed the Catholic Church to use the word in its Bahasa Malaysia publications.

The controversy was reignited this past week when Vatican City's first Apostolic Nuncio or ambassador to Malaysia, Archbishop Joseph Marino, voiced his support for the CFM’s stand. He has since offered his apologies if his support to use the word had offended Malaysians.

Several right-wing Malay Muslim groups have asked Putrajaya to expel the envoy for his remarks despite the apology. – July 20, 2013.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/appalled-by-umno-leaders-stand-on-allah-issue-christians-ask-cabinet-to-enf

‘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/