Please refer to my previous posting dated 8 April 2010. (Lily)
1.Malaysiakini.com (http://www.malaysiakini.com)
(1) 'Inter-religious Understanding Committee' on the cards, 6 April 2010
by Hazlan Zakaria
An 'Inter-religious Understanding Committee' is being set up under the National Unity and Integration Department to promote harmony between the different religions in the country, Minister in Prime Minister's Department Koh Tsu Koon told Parliament today.
"It is a committee to promote understanding and harmony, straightforward. Purely leaders of various religions sitting together with the relevant government departments. Let the religious leaders with all their spirituality sit down and have a dialogue."
Koh said the committee would be chaired by Ilani Isahak, the former MP for Kota Bahru, and would comprise senior representatives from the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), the Institute of Islamic Understanding (Ikim) as well as from the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST).
Koh said the special committee was not a rigid structure and was just a framework to provide an interaction and interchange of ideas.
Sidestepping the thorny objection to the proposed 'interfaith council' mooted during former premier Abdullah Badawi's tenure, Koh promptly said the committee was not to be referred to as an 'interfaith council'.
Not 'inter-faith'
"We don't want to call it an interfaith panel. It is a special committee to promote understanding and harmony amongst religions or in short an 'inter-religious understanding committee'.
"For example, they will look at issues related to intermarriages that involve conversion as well as if some marriages don't work out and to decide what happens in questions regarding the custody of children.'
Koh said that while these issues were also being looked at by the government through the various departments, there were also matters they wanted to get feedback on.
"Let them (the committee) exchange views and get a better understanding of one another. (They will be) reporting to cabinet through me as the minister-in-charge.
"So the idea is to actually hold discussions, both informal and sometimes more structured meetings, to promote understanding and harmony" said Koh.
Koh elaborated that Ilani was the right person for the job.
"She is a hajah. She is the former MP for Kota Bahru but she has not been active politically for quite a while. Very significantly, she has been in good personal contact with all the major religious leaders in the country.
Castles in the air
Meanwhile, on another matter, Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) questioned Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's fiscal discipline and accused him of irresponsibility in managing Malaysia's finances.
"Is Najib building castles in the air?"asked the veteran opposition politician when debating the Supplementary Budget Bill in Parliament.
He pointed to the various supplementary budgets being tabled which he said had derailed the national budget.
"Malaysia's budgeting has again gone awry with the budget deficit in 2009 shooting to as high as 7.9 percent of the GDP this year."
This, Lim said, was surprising because Najib once promised that the deficit was to decline to 5.6 percent of the GDP this year.
Lim demanded an explanation from the government over what he said was mismanagement of the nation's funds and the 'extraordinary construction methods' Najib was using to build his policies.
"(He is) building his '1Malaysia' house roof first and then he pillars without a floor as the NEM Part 2 has been deferred further to the third quarter of the year."
(2) Perkasa outraged over interfaith body, 12 April 2010
by Hazlan Zakaria
Malay rights group Perkasa yesterday questioned the manner and nature in which the committee for inter-religious understanding has been formed and is to be supervised.
It objects in particular to Koh Tsu Koon overseeing the body in his capacity as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, in charge of the National Unity and Integration Department.
Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali told a press conference that it is not appropriate to place a body dealing with religious matters under a department for inter-ethnic relations.
“Why is a committee that has to do with Islam under Koh? Why not under Minister in Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom, who is in charge of Islamic affairs?" he asked.
“If this is an inter-racial (affairs) committee, then it is okay for it to be placed under Koh. Otherwise, it must be under Jamil Khir's supervision.”
Earlier this month, Koh had told Parliament that the committee, set up in February, would be headed under former Kota Bahru MP Ilani Isahak and involve representatives of the Islamic Development Department, Institute of Islamic Understanding and the Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism.
He said the committee has been conceived as a forum for the exchange of views and issues of faith, and to prevent misunderstanding and misinterpretation over religion.
Ibrahim, however, countered that Islam is the official religion of the nation and that the Rulers Council is the highest authority.
As such, their input - as well as that of Muslim religious scholars and the National Fatwa Council - should have been obtained first. Otherwise, it would seem that they have been bypassed.
“We demand that the name of the committee be changed to (that of) inter-racial understanding, or that it be place it under Jamal Khir's purview,” he insisted.
'Appointee not suited to post'
Ibrahim also said the appointment of Ilani is inappropriate given her lack of expertise in the Islamic sciences.
“I have nothing against her, but she may not be the right person. She is a respected lawyer, she may have studied about Islamic matters. But she is not an expert.
“Heading a committee like this requires a properly-qualified person, especially since (discussions in) this (committee) may involve the aqidah (creed).
“Why not (get) someone with a PhD in Islamic knowledge, for example, Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria ? He can give his input from an Islamic scholar's point of view."
Ibrahim stressed that Perkasa is not out to oppose or interfere with government decisions, but that it is only relaying the concerns and grievances of the Malay-Muslim grassroots.
Among these is the suspicion that the committee is a resurrection of the inter-faith council (IFC) that was mooted but quickly scuttled due to opposition from many Muslim groups, said Ibrahim.
“The conference that proposed the IFC was sponsored by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation of Germany. These people (who supported the IFC), after they failed to set it up, they have now used this insidious means to achieve the same ends.”
Ibrahim warned that the committee - despite its benign purpose - could serve as a platform for certain parties to raise issues considered sensitive by religious communities.
“The danger here is that anything could happen. People may send in memoranda and notices about Islam that are sensitive. It may even involve aqidah.”
He added that Perkasa will submit its views on the matter to the Rulers Council and the Agong.
(3) DPM: Interfaith panel just 'small fry', 12 April 2010
by S Pathmawathy
Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today moved to placate Muslim concerns that the establishment of the inter-faith panel would undermine the status of Islam.
Speaking to reporters in Sungai Buaya, Hulu Selangor said the panel was made up of “small-fry” and was legally toothless and thus, was no threat to Islam.
“It is just an avenue to allow space for better understanding between religions in the country,” Muhyiddin said.
He added that that the body was not a commission and it has no powers to influence the country's policies.
“They are just small fry, (with) a small role played within the Prime Minister Department,” he said.
Muhyiddin said this in response to Malay rights pressure group Perkasa's criticism of the panel, which was established under the National Unity and Integration Department, led by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Koh Tsu Koon.
The panel would be headed by former Kota Bharu MP Ilani Isahak and include representatives from the Islamic Development Department, Institute of Islamic Understanding and the Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism.
Ibrahim argued that the panel should be headed by a prominent Muslim scholar and as it stands, the panel seemingly sidestepped the Rulers Council which is the highest governing body on matters concerning Islam.
Muhyiddin also brushed aside Ibrahim's criticism of Ilani's credentials, adding that the senior lawyer was qualified for the job.
“She has vast experience so let's give her a chance,” he said.
(4)Interfaith body: Small fry, little role, no power, 13 April 2010
'The government has always had the stand that religion is a sensitive matter that needs careful deliberation, thus the need for an interfaith council. What the DPM is now saying is contrary to the government stand.'
DPM: Interfaith panel just 'small fry'
KeepYourHead: Koh Tsu Koon, I wonder how long you still want to stay in this government and cabinet where you don't get any respect. Even a nobody like Ibrahim Ali can criticise you and the deputy prime minister called your interfaith panel a small-fry before it has even started to function.
What can you actually do by staying put in this government? Get out of it and pull your party out, and you may still garner some respect from the people.
Yuvan: I am just astounded by what the DPM has said about the interfaith panel in the PM's Department. So the panel was set up to be just a "small fry" with no sincerity at all to improve understanding and tolerance among people of different religions. And to rub salt into the wound, the government admits that it knew very well that the panel will not serve any purpose and is absolutely useless.
Time and again, the BN government's '1Malaysia' propaganda seems nothing but a joke. With such insincerity and gimmicks, I do not think that it will ever be able to fully regain the trust and respect of the Chinese and Indians.
I am now convinced that the National Unity and Integration Department itself overseeing the committee is a complete farce and was also set up to be just another 'small fry'. If Koh Tsu Koon has any dignity at all, he should throw away his ministership in the PM's Department without second thought and 'save' his face.
Argonist: So Minister Koh, where do you hide your 'water-face' now for parading your great idea of harmony and peace in Malaysia via discussions and negotiations? I guess you are going to have to change your expectation of the committees's role?
Govindasamy: Small fry, small role and no power. Then why set it up in the first place and have it headed by a senior politician? DPM Muhiyddin, who are you trying to please? Perkasa?
1Malaysia is an eye-wash. The government has always had the stand that religion is a serious and sensitive matter that needs careful deliberation, thus the need for an interfaith council. What you (Muhyiddin) are now saying is contrary to your own government's stand.
MY2Centsworth: There you go, right from the horse's mouth: the panel is nothing but small fry (translated: insignificant, rubber stamp, toothless, mouse, etc) and headed by another insignificant minister. What a load of hogwash. Ibrahim Ali and Perkasa must be rubbing their hands in glee.
Rayfire: DPM, if the committee is meant to be small fry, please refrain from forming it in the first place. This goes to show how much understanding and respect they have towards other religious leaders in this country.
The katak says only his religion is God-sent - that itself shows his ignorance, and now the DPM seems to endorse his views by calling it a small fry committee with no powers. Koh Tsu Koon, I presume that includes you as well.
We are going towards a dangerous trend here in favour of Perkasa's short-sighted ideas and views. Just check their website - there is one special column to monitor Chinese newspapers as well.
These people have tendency to cause havoc and Umno is just downplaying the threat due to endorsement by Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Damn these racial and religious bigots!
GK: Small fry or big fry, so long as it can promote better understanding among various religions, it is justified for its purpose and existence. But, I doubt it can function well with such extreme Muslims like Perkasa around. Even before it gets started, Ibrahim Ali already made so much noise as to who should head the panel.
What if a Christian heads the panel? Right-thinking Malaysian will not question that, but Perkasa will. They'll go on street demonstrations shouting offensive words, burning effigies, threatening to kill and destroy property.
Daniel Tan: Why then, may I ask, is the interfaith committee being set up if it's going to be a toothless committee? Just to gain votes from the non-Muslims?
That's why we don't trust the idiots in Umno-led BN, and this include this 'I'm Malay first' minister. I think the Hulu Selangor voters must take note of this and return Pakatan Rakyat with a greater majority.
Perkasa outraged over interfaith body
Makcik Har: Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria? Wasn't he the one who got a church surrounded by thugs with a hundred-or-so little girls about to take the holy communion quivering in fear inside?
In the name of the future of this country and of national unity, get this man as far away from any public office as possible. An interesting point to note is that the state ruler never reprimanded him.
Ruler or mufti, in the afterlife, we are all equals. God is watching.
Lucia: Good Lord, he suggested Harussani? Heaven help us if that man heads the committee. He is as bad as Ibrahim Ali. He was the one responsible for nearly causing a riot at an Ipoh Church, saying the church was converting Muslims when it was young innocent Catholic girls being confirmed. And yet he blamed it on some poor woman who spread the SMS. He was not charged or reprimanded.
For the rakyat's sake, I hope to God the mufti of Perak will not be appointed to head the committee. If he is, they might as well not start the committee at all.
Hamisu: Fear, simply put, is an irrational feeling of something you do not understand. Without discussions, there will never be understanding, thereby deepening an already fearful psyche.
One of the best way is to bare all that we may have misunderstood throughout our lifetime and then have a constructive discussion to remove doubts and most importantly, fear.
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2.UCAN (http://www.ucanews.com)
Deputy PM deals blow to new interfaith committee, 13 April 2010
KUALA LUMPUR (UCAN) — Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin dismissed as “small fry” members of a new interfaith committee, just set up to try and bridge religious divisions in Malaysia.
The contemptuous put-down deals a heavy blow to the reputation of the forum before it has even begun its work.
The Inter-faith Committee set up on April 8 comprises representatives from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism as well as the dominant religion Islam.
It was designed to promote religious harmony and understanding among the various religions.
But Muhyiddin downplayed the role of the committee to reporters, saying it had no legal standing and had no power to decide on religious disputes. “They are just small fry, a small role played within the Prime Minister’s department,” he said.
Muhyiddin also said the committee will not touch on Islamic matters, although he later denied using the term “small fry” and said he had referred to the group as a “minor committee.”
Reverend Doctor Thomas Philips, president of the consultative council for most non-Islamic religions, was stung by Muhyiddin Yassin’s dismissive tone.
“We want the Deputy Prime Minister to clarify what he said. Then we can move forward. It would be difficult otherwise to proceed with the stated goals of the committee,” he said.
The remarks came in the wake of protest by a Malay-Muslim right wing group, Perkasa, which demanded that the committee be placed under the National Islamic Affairs Department in the Prime Minister’s department.
“We are suspicious of it. We reject the committee because this is religion we are talking about,” Perkasa President Ibrahim Ali told reporters. “This is not something that you play around with. This is very sensitive to Muslims.”
Ibrahim was also unhappy over the choice of Illani Isahak as chairwoman because of her well-known moderate Islamic views.
Another Islamic body, the Perak Fatwa Committee, has also objected to the committee.
Mufti Harussani Zakaria said that the Perak committee believed it was not a suitable medium.
“This is in view of fears that unreasonable claims could be made by people of other faiths.”
Meanwhile, members of the Inter-faith Committee are considering where the comments leave them.
“This interfaith committee has been a long waited dream of many Malaysians, to sit down together and talk. We don’t want this to die a premature death. At the same time, we don’t want this committee to be used for political gains,“ said Reverend Philips.
Father Michael Chua, ecclesiastical assistant of the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocesan Ministry of Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Affairs, was also concerned about the deputy prime minister’s comments.
“We can understand why the religious leaders see no point in meeting if the government considers the committee insignificant.
“It is seen as a waste of time sitting in this committee when the committee has no impact on policies,” he said.
URL to article: http://www.ucanews.com/2010/04/13/deputy-pm-deals-blow-to-interfaith-plan/
Copyright © 2009 UCA News. All rights reserved.
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