The Sun (Sun2Surf)(http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=49311)
Apply the letter of the law，13 July 2010
by Terence
RELIGION is a touchy subject which is why anyone with a full sack of marbles would steer clear from igniting passions through unwarranted words and actions.
The authorities have been largely non-committal, even aloof, on religious issues affecting non-Muslims, especially in the wake of demolished temples, burnt churches, banned religious books and Bibles, and the debate on the use of religious terms in Bahasa Malaysia (Bahasa Arab actually) by non-Muslims.
While it is wise for the government to tread carefully on such matters, it has also become evident that several religious bodies have also taken advantage of the "look the other way policy".
The mushrooming of unlicensed places of worship, coupled with wanton renovations and extensions without proper approvals have become a thorn in the side of many local authorities. It is a case of damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
Now, there are government servants who, perhaps rightly so, do not give a toss to religious sensitivities and apply the letter of the law to the T – such as the demolition of a kitchen extension to a 100-year-old Sikh temple in Sungai Besi (built after Kuala Lumpur City Hall did not respond to applications to renovate the old termite-infested wing).
However, there are others who, despite the courts being on their side, simply look the other way in carrying out their obligations. One such case is the unapproved renovations and extensions of a church near Jalan Puchong.
Despite a court order in favour of the church’s neighbours (who reside in multi-million ringgit homes), who petitioned against the operation of the place of worship, Kuala Lumpur City Hall this time had refused to take any action in bringing down the illegal structures.
It is obvious to many that the authorities, including the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry are dragging their feet in this case since there are so many thorny issues affecting the Christian community of late. But that doesn’t mean it should be biased and use different strokes for different folks based on a numbers game of the electorate.
Having said that, if City Hall and the ministry are suddenly so concerned about the feelings of this community then why are they yet to bring down the illegal barricades that neighbours of another church in the city have put up to prevent cars of worshippers from plying pass their homes?
It just goes to show the conundrum that our authorities have put themselves in. If they had abided by the letter of the law and acted efficiently on all approvals, without fear or favour, then they would never be accused of favouritism or victimisation.
Unfortunately when carrying out duties, the decision makers are at times guided by their own warped religious understanding or political affiliation and yes, brown envelopes.
To the authorities, I say do your duty fairly and consistently. To the religious bodies including some of the Sdn Bhds masquerading as places of worship, do not take advantage of the political climate to flout the law, squat on people’s land and inconvenience neighbours by using the name of God in vain. Now, that would just be a sin.
・Terence is amused over a complaint that sunrise mass at a church in Kuala Lumpur was cancelled on Monday due to a special World Cup service and match screening before the Spain-Holland finals. Feedback: terence@thesundaily.com
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