“Herald” (16 December 2007, Vol.14, No. 49)
‘Waiting for Printing Permit’ （p.1）
We have just one more issue before the Printing Permit for the year 2007 expires. The Ministry of Internal Security has yet to issue us with the Printing Permit for the year 2008.
We are still hoping that the Ministry will renew the Printing Permit within the next two weeks. Failing which, our one option is to continue publishing HERALD―The Catholic Weekly, but only for those who are Catholics and friends who acknowledge the values which the Catholic Church espouses.
In these challenging times we look forward to your continuing support and on our part we will do our best to bring the latest news as well as opinions of interest that matters.
‘Insensitive, unsubstantiated, baseless remarks’ （p.10）
PETALING JAYA: The Christian Federation of Malaysia today described the two Barisan Nasional MP’s call in the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament) for the removal of images of Jesus and Mary and the crosses in mission schools as insensitive, unsubstantiated and baseless comments.
The federation said the duo’s accusations against the management and operation of the mission schools are most appalling and hurtful and do nothing except cause misunderstanding and erosion of trust and respect among our ethnic and religious groups “in this beloved country of ours”.
The federation’s full statement is reproduced below followed by the debate by Syed Hood Syed Edros (BN-Parit Sulong) and Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) on Oct 29 in Bahasa Malaysia, down-loaded from the Hansard on the Dewan Rakyat’s website (http://www.parlimen.gov.my/hindex/pdf/DR-29102007.pdf-pages 143-144).
‘Statement for Christian Federation of Malaysia on Extremist/insensitive Remarks in Parliament about Christian Mission Schools’ Crosses and Religious Images’ （p.10）
The Christian Federation of Malaysia is appreciative of the recognition of the Ministry of Education, Malaysia of the tradition to have crosses and religious images in mission schools and of the affirmation that there is no reason to remove them. These crosses and religious images are part of the ethos and culture of mission schools which the Ministry of Education, Malaysia has repeatedly assured us will remain.
Our mission schools have been founded with so much love and sacrifice consistent with Christian values and principles with a view to providing quality education to all students, regardless of race, religion and culture. The traditions and practices of the mission schools reflect the first principle of our national ideology, the Rukunegara, of “belief in God”. Therefore the Christian Federation of Malaysia calls upon the leadership of this beloved country of ours and the people of Malaysia to continue to support and encourage our mission schools in their thus far excellent contribution towards nation building through the provision of quality and caring education.
The insensitive, unsubstantiated and baseless comments and accusations of 2 honourable members of the august Dewan Rakyat of Malaysia in relation to the management and operation of the mission schools are most appalling and hurtful and do nothing except cause misunderstanding and erosion of trust and respect among our ethnic and religious groups in this beloved country of ours. The reason for having brought up the comments and accusations “based on grouses from the ground” is not acceptable as in the first place, there is no compulsion for any one to study in a mission school if one does not wish to.
Moreover, one would expect that before any accusation or comment is made, one should verify the facts, especially with the management of the mission schools.
The Christian Federation of Malaysia applauds our mission schools for their continuing contribution to the betterment of our students and teachers and reminds them of the important role they play in producing responsible citizens who will love their country and contribute to nation building and unity.
Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing, SJ
Chairman
Executive Committee of Christian Federation of Malaysia
7 December 2007
(End)
PS: Please see “Lily’s Room”dated 28 November 2007. By the way, Home Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad in Parliament on 27 November 2007 has stated that Malaysia is not an Islamic State, according to the article of the "Herald" （p.10）.
