1. Christian Conference of Asia 13th General Assembly 2010 KL(http://cca2010assembly.blogspot.com)
Asian church leaders meet in KL , 17 April 2010
by Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 — Malaysia’s religious “conflict” has garnered much interest among church leaders attending the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) launched here today.
Two regional church leaders expressed their concern over the attacks on more than 10 places of worship across the country early this year after a High Court ruled that a Catholic newspaper could use the word “Allah”.
But they diplomatically refrained from commenting on the federal government’s response in dealing with the problem as a pilot interfaith panel meeting among religious leaders under the watchful eye of a Cabinet-appointed chairman scheduled on Tuesday was suddenly called off.
Reverend Dr Henriette T. Hutabarat Lebang, director of the Institut Teologi Gereja Toraja in Indonesia, said the situation in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation with multi-religious minorities, mirrors that of her own country.
“I come from Indonesia. We’re facing similar situations: how to live together in a pluralistic community,” she told reporters after being elected the next CCA general secretary.
“We all want to see a good society in Asia, in our countries, but how do we build that?” she asked, noting it was a challenge faced by many church leaders and the subject underscores much of the discussion for the next five days of their meet at the Grand Seasons Hotel here.
The Archbishop of Perth, Roger Herft, said no country today can think it is isolated from the rest of the world.
“Australia knows that. Whatever happens in Malaysia impacts the rest of us,” said the Anglican archbishop, who was born and grew up in Sri Lanka.
Heft had earlier in the press conference stressed the importance for people to be able to practise their religions.
“If we don’t take people’s faiths seriously, the whole society is going to suffer.
Reverend Dr Hermen Shastri, the general secretary of the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM), pointed out that issues to injustice are central to faith, a view Hutarabat Lebang seconded, noting that churches across Asia often advocate the rights of minority groups.
The 13th CCA is held in Malaysia for the third time since its inception in 1959. This year, the theme is “Called to Prophesy, Reconcile and Heal”.
The CCA is a regional body of over 150 member churches from different denominations.
Over 380 church leaders and ecumenical speakers from across Asia are here for the meet, which ends on April 20.
2. The Malaysian Insider (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com)
Local church leaders dubious even as PM reaches out, 21 April 2010
by Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak told regional Christian church leaders gathered here today that there was a place in Malaysia for all cultures and religions, but his message appears to have been met with some scepticism.
Church leaders came away from the closed-door lunch address unconvinced, citing recent examples of intolerance such as the controversy over the use of the word “Allah,” the firebombing of churches and the strident rhetoric of newspapers like Utusan Malaysia.
Najib’s message of unity among people of diverse ideologies and cultures was applauded by the Asian church leaders, but their local counterparts felt the words still rang hollow, and expressed doubts that Malaysia was moving from mere tolerance to acceptance and mutual respect as espoused by the prime minister.
Najib had flown from Japan early this morning to fete some 100 church leaders from around the region at the Grand Seasons Hotel here, which, coincidentally, also houses the offices of vocal Malay rights group, Perkasa.
A leading local Christian figure told The Malaysian Insider that Najib was preaching to the choir.
“Utusan Malaysia should be here,” the church leader said on condition of anonymity, referring to the Malay-language national newspaper.
The Umno-owned daily has been at the forefront of criticism against a recent Cabinet-endorsed committee to promote harmony and understanding among religions in Malaysia.
Another local church representative noted that the PM’s speech steered clear of mentioning religion, and focused instead on the social and economic elements to promote unity and mutual understanding among communities from diverse backgrounds.
“He said: ‘There’s a place under the Malaysian sun for everybody’,” the church leader said, citing the PM, but he appeared sceptical of Najib’s sincerity in his own message.
“He may say this here but he likely says something else in front of a different audience,” he pointed out.
“He’s got to add substance to his stand,” he added, noting that as a Malaysian delegate, he was hoping to hear “something more tangible” from the PM.
But the president of the Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) Reverend Thomas Philips told The Malaysian Insider that the general assembly was not a suitable platform for the prime minister to speak on national issues, noting the local Christian community had other avenues to engage Najib.
A churchman who asked not to be named said that Najib kept his speech general and repeated his 1 Malaysia concept for the benefit of the regional audience, stretching from Iran to Australia, who had flown in to town for the week-long 13th general assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) which ended yesterday.
Among delegates at the assembly were the newly-elected general secretary of the CCA, Reverend Dr Henriette T. Hutabarat Lebang, who is also the director of the Institut Telogi Gereja Toraja in Indonesia; Anglican Archbishop of Perth Roger Herft; and the Vatican’s diplomatic representative to Southeast Asia, Salvatore Pennacchio.
Former general secretary of the CCA, Dr Prawate Khid-Arn, told The Malaysian Insider Najib’s speech was “very encouraging, particularly for other Asian countries”, which, being similarly multicultural, face a struggle to unite the different communities.
“I see Malaysia as more advanced than Thailand in people’s unity,” Khird-Arn said, comparing the situation in his home country to here.
He explained that while religion on its own was not a problem for Thailand, unity was a huge challenge, and pointed to the current riots in its capital, Bangkok.
The Thai church leader said he had been concerned about the religious situation in Malaysia earlier this year, when he heard of the attacks on houses of worship following a controversial High Court ruling over the use of the word “Allah” by a Catholic newspaper.
“But I see Malaysia’s religious situation improving over the last few months,” he said, and expressed confidence that Malaysia’s multi-religious, multi-ethnic community would be able to overcome the divide peacefully.
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