1. Liberty Sentinel (http://libertysentinel.wordpress.com)
(1) Unprecedented Raid on a Church by Islamic Officials/Police, 4 August 2011
by Dr. Ng Kam Weng
The unprecedented police/Islamic official (JAIS) raid on a church has caused alarm among Malaysians who have been assured only recently by the Prime Minister that he wants Malaysians to progress from tolerance to mutual acceptance. Speculation is rife as to why the raid took place at all – so soon after what was perceived to be an opportunistic visit by the Prime Minister the pope at Vatican.Two concerns must first be registered:
First, the police official brazenly violated the limits of their authority when they barged into DUMC premises without a warrant. Perhaps in their minds no search warrant is needed to scrounge around rubbish bins. If only that was all they did (and even this would require a search warrant) – they were blatantly intimidating the guests at the dinner.
Second, the religious officials from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) exploited the blunt tool of the state (police) to muscle their way into the church premises and arrogantly flaunted their power to harass the dinner guests. They claimed to be acting in response to a complaint (even though they failed to produce the alleged complaint letter). But, even if there were such a complaint, they should have contacted the leaders of the church and the matters would have been resolved amicably. However, they chose the path of offense and raided the church. Perhaps these officials still live in medieval times when Islamic officials may abuse non-Muslim subjects (the inferior dhimmis) at their whims and fancies. At the least, one has to judge these officials as having violated human decency when they wantonly insulted the Christian community.
Of course, nothing is strictly religious in Malaysia. It is common knowledge that Muslim politicians often cynically exploit Islamic institutions for their political ends. There are speculations about the real agenda of the political puppet masters behind this raid. Could the raid be one of the maneuvers of the power struggle within UMNO between the PM and his challengers? There can only be tantalizing answers.
Question 1: Who authorized the raid?
If it was PM Najib: So much for his recent statement that Malaysians must move from tolerance to mutual respect.
If not PM Najib: then his challengers have seized an opportunity to embarrass him.
Caution: But then it can also be the usual good cop/bad cop sandiwara/drama by the government.
Regardless of the real truth, we can only judged the present government by its actions (and not just its soothing words). In this regard, we have to hold we hold the present government (PM +and his challengers) culpable of an offensive action.
Question 2: What is the real agenda of the authorities?
Relations between the government and the Christian community have been going downhill – following a serious of contentious issues that include the Allah Controversy, seizure of the Al-kitab, court disputes over some conversions etc. Naturally, these harassment have heightened the social-political consciousness/political activism among Christians. Perhaps some government officials see it fitting to initiate a high profile raid on a church to remind Christians to remain compliant and stay in the good books of the ruling political masters of the land.
Finally, given the paranoia that is pervasive among Islamic officials, it must have been galling for them to see some Muslims attending an official function in a church (even though it was organized as a 1Malaysia event). Judging by the frequent warnings from JAIS, it would seem that there are many weak Muslims who are easily influenced by Christians and would convert out of Islam no sooner than one says Peace be… Weak and unstable followers must be guarded (or rather, controlled) and the audacious Christians put in their place.
(2) Press Statements from Christian Federation Malaysia and Dream Centre, 4 August 2011
by Dr. Ng Kam Weng
Press Statement from Christian Federation Malaysia
The Christian Federation of Malaysia is deeply shocked and appalled at the raid by the officers of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and the police conducted on the premises of the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) on the evening of 3rd August 2011.
The dinner function organised by Harapan Komuniti, a community development NGO, is an annual thanksgiving celebration to commemorate its efforts on its numerous community projects for the benefit of Malaysians.
It is ironic that such a celebratory gathering of volunteers, leaders, supporters and members of the community should be disrupted by the high-handed and repugnant actions of the state religious enforcement officers.
This arbitrary action of the JAIS and the police officers is an affront to the values of mutual respect and harmony which should be accorded to every person, regardless of religious, cultural or ethnic background in Malaysia.
We also wish to question the legality of the raid and the subsequent interrogation and harassment of the guests present at the dinner as to whether the officers were acting within their legal jurisdiction.
Christians are shocked and saddened at this deplorable action. In recent times, we have witnessed an increase in incidences where Christians have been singled out and targeted with unjustified accusations and prejudice from various groups as well as certain mainline media who have made inflammatory statements against the spirit of 1Malaysia.
We call upon the relevant authorities, including His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, to conduct a thorough investigation over this unjustified raid.
We also call upon the government and all Malaysians to work together to build a truly cohesive and harmonious society based on mutual respect, dialogue and understanding.
In this holy month of Ramadan, we Christians wish to extend our heartfelt greetings and felicitation to our Muslim friends.
Yours sincerely,
Bishop Datuk Ng Moon Hing
Chairman and the Executive Committee,
Christian Federation of Malaysia
2. The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my)
Updated: Thursday August 4, 2011 MYT 9:04:56 PM
Church raid: BN leaders rap S'gor govt
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional leaders have rapped Selangor Pakatan Rakyat over the raid at a church here by the State Religious Department (JAIS).
They said the Wednesday night raid at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church, over suspicion that Muslims were present at a dinner held there, was high-handed and unjustified.
MCA leaders have demanded an apology from JAIS and the state exco member in charge of religion, Datuk Dr Hasan Ali of PAS.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the raid was uncalled for and disrespectful.
"Even if there were suspicions or complaints, the JAIS enforcement officers should have waited until the event was over.
"JAIS should apologise for rudely intruding at the function, which was held in the spirit of 1Malaysia," said Dr Chua in a statement here Thursday.
"The department, which comes under the charge of PAS exco member Datuk Dr Hassan Ali, has a lot of explaining to do.
"He should apologise for the department's encroachment into the church premises and poor handling of the situation," he added.
"MCA will not tolerate such harassment on activities within the church compound and disciplinary action should be taken against overzealous officers who acted without taking into consideration the sensitivities of other religions," Dr Chua said.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong, who noted that JAIS was under the jurisdiction of the Selangor government, tweeted: "The MB (Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim) and exco (executive councillor) Hassan should be responsible for this incident."
Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the Selangor government must explain why the Damansara Utama Methodist Church was raided, saying that the action was inappropriate.
Pakatan Rakyat leaders, however, countered the attacks, saying that while JAIS was under the jurisdiction of the Selangor government, it operated independently and was co-ordinated by Jakim (the Islamic Advancement Department of Malaysia).
PKR vice-president Tian Chua said: "We hope this intolerance will stop."
PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub said JAIS must give a reason why the church raided, adding that "it's important to clear the air at this stage."
The Thanksgiving dinner, being held in the spirit of 1Malaysia, was interrupted by the presence of the JAIS officers.
It is learnt that there were about 120 people from all walks of life present in the hall at the time.
・ 1995-2011 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
3．Malaysiakini (http://www.malaysiakini.com)
(1) What is Jais so afraid of?, 5 August 2011
Conversion of Muslims to Christianity? Malaysia certainly doesn't need Muslims to be Christians. What we need is Muslims who practice what they preach.'
Multi-racial dinner at church disrupted by Jais
Gerard Samuel Vijayan: If the Selangor sultan is apolitical as he claims, he should intervene in this and find out what Jais (Selangor Islamic Affairs Department) was up to. The state government has no control over Jais simply because the palace and Umno protect these officers.
The police may have a right to enter a church if they think that a crime has been committed, but what right does Jais have? Islamic laws do not apply to non-Muslims.
If Jais was concerned about the presence of Muslims at the dinner function, they should have waited outside the church until the function was over and questioned the Muslims who attended or just call the church leaders to find out.
DannyLoHH: Jais, an official religious body, by harassing a function organised in a church, committed a form of religious harassment against the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC). Jais and the Selangor government has some explaining to do.
NCIS: I ask Christians leaders to have a cool head. Contrary to most of the comments here, I beg to differ. The law prohibits the evangelising to Muslims, so why was the church having a 'berbuka puasa' dinner?
It was not just any other dinner; it was 'buka puasa' dinner. If 'buka puasa' dinners are not directed at Muslims, then are you telling me that the Christians also fast during this time.
Borneo Son: Who says that the dinner was a 'berbuka puasa' dinner? According Senior Pastor Daniel Ho, it was a thanksgiving dinner organised by an NGO. It was Selangor exco Hasan Ali who alleged that the Muslims were participating in 'breaking fast' at the dinner.
It is not only a breach of freedom of assembly and association but also a blatant invasion and gross violation of privacy as the event was held on private property. Imagine Jais and police entering your house and interrupting a wedding reception on an unfounded suspicion that you are trying to convert your guests.
Does it mean that our Muslim friends are not allowed to accept our invitations? It is apparent, if not obvious, that the raid was held in retaliation against DUMC for hosting the electoral reform forum.
We, who believe in human rights and decency, will not cower by such acts of bullying.
Tuah PJ: In Islam, a state which is headed by a Islamic sultan and has subjects who are non-Muslims, it is compulsory for the head of Islam to protect the non-Muslims, including their abodes of prayer. That is Islam.
Frankly speaking, I don't know what is being practised here in Malaysia. It's so shameful. I believe Jais is in cohorts with Putrajaya because they hosted the electoral reform forum featuring Bersih 2.0 chief S Ambiga and EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar in their place last Friday.
JBGUY: Jais is giving the Selangor sultan a bad name. As head of Islam, the sultan will now be viewed as a religious bigot who has no respect for other religions. It is my fervent hope that the sultan makes a statement on this issue clarifying his views on this issue.
Keturunan Malaysia: Khairy Jamaluddin and Wee Ka Siong, among others, are blaming the Pakatan Selangor government for this as they claimed that Jais is under the administration of the state government.
However, the Selangor government, and even Anwar Ibrahim's daughter Nurul Izzah, reportedly said that most of the deviant practices by Jais originate from the federal government.
It is most interesting to find out the truth as to who gave the 'instruction/order' to carry out the raid. It is a wonder the police seem gleefully happy to assist Jais.
Shabaruddin: They ransacked garbage bins? What could they be looking for? Garbage bins are not 'bersih' lah.
Samuel Ng: Checking the rubbish bin to see whether pork ribs was served? Christians are well-versed what to serve during multi-racial and multi-religious dinners - no pork for our Muslim friends and no beef for our Hindu friends. After 52 years, you still have to check the rubbish bin?
Anonymous: Jais - the 'S' stands for Selangor and they have to report to the Selangor government. This raid was done either without the knowledge of the state government, or the state government closed one eye to please PAS.
Hello: Isn't Jais to be under the jurisdiction of the Selangor state government? Why is the state government not taking action against the culprits who are responsible? Shouldn't they respect the culture of other religions as they expect others to respect Islam. By what right have they to raid a dinner conducted by other religions?
Michael Celo: This government is dismantling the very basic DNA of the country. How in God's name has it deteriorated to this level?
This government has turned Malaysia into a GM (genetically modified) country, with no semblance to anything good, moral, decent and acceptable.
Fair Play: By calling it a multi-racial dinner is a misnomer. Perhaps it's more like a multi-cultural and religious dinner that might have included Muslims. Otherwise, why would Jais raid the gathering?
I think when a word such as 'thanksgiving' is used, the reaction by Jais is pretty much predictable. Recent events have turned the church into a serious threat in the mind of certain groups, rightly or wrongly.
Perhaps the church should not try to stoke the fire any further.
Ferdtan: It seems that the strategy of the ruling party using racial issues as bogeyman has failed after the fraternity shown among the Malays, Chinese, Indians and the Dayaks in Bersih 2.0 rally, they are now targeting more on religious differences to divide Malaysians.
Christianity is apparently the convenient choice. Just watch the political drift in the coming days.
Susah Kes: While the MCA does a publicity stunt to get voters back (refer to their recent act of trying to be heroes in Penang against the DAP), Umno does Pakatan Rakyat a favour by ensuring that they have lost at least 100,000 votes from church-goers in Selangor alone.
So MCA, what is going to be your call? Loh Seng Kok, Chua Soi Lek, Donald Lim - do you still think that voters are going to tolerate Umno's shenanigans?
Leon Chan: This unfortunate incident simply reveals how rude the Jais officers were. Reverand Hermen Shastri is right in saying that the Jais officers should have contacted the church leaders first for clarification.
These officers were behaving like uncivilised thugs. I thought religious officers are supposed to be well-educated people with properly-functioning brains.
Black Mamba: What was Jais afraid of? Conversion of Muslims to Christianity? Malaysia certainly doesn't need Muslims to be Christians. What the country certainly needs is Muslims who practice what they preach.
Mirror on the Wall: The flames of religious bigotry are being lit again by the very authorities who are supposed to be the gatekeepers of fair play and justice. Instead of ensuring peace and harmony, these very people elected to power seem to be hell-bent on causing strive and distrust.
But what is the ultimate goal of all this? Creating tension? Hoping for a vitriolic reaction? Sowing distrust among people of different faiths? Insulting another faith? Probably all the above.
And they have probably succeeded in none of the above. Why? Because the citizenry have grown up, unlike the the political masters.
YF: Perhaps 8TV should do an advertisement to teach Jais and their like how not to be disrespectful, abusive and sinful towards non-Muslims during Ramadan.
Now this is a more realistic advertisement compared to the fictional racism that 8TV recently produced.
・The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers.
(2) Show concrete evidence of proselytisation，5 August 2011
It looks like I have to cancel all my invitations to my Muslim friends for my Christmas Day open house gathering this year.'
Church raid: Jais found 'proof of proselytisation'
Not Confused: How much lower and more pathetic can these idiotic authorities get? In the holy month of Ramadan, they are doing everything they possibly can to torpedo what threads are left of the 1Malaysia philosophy (was there much substance in the first place, one might ask?).
Anyhow, to raid a multi-faith dinner event like this is so ridiculous it almost beggars belief. Why is it that Muslims feel so threatened and afraid of their own shadows when it comes to any hint of something that could be against Islam in some trivial way?
It is time that the Muslim faithful discarded this outdated and totally unnecessary siege mentality and mindset that seems to be set in the 17th century.
In a country where two-thirds of the population profess Islam as their religion, they have nothing to fear except themselves. Maybe that is the answer?
FairMind: In most of the government events and ceramahs organised by both BN and the opposition, there are usually Muslim prayers before or after the event. The non-Muslims just sat through the prayer. Does that mean that the Muslims are proselytising the non-Muslims into Islam?
It must be highly ridiculous that the Christians cannot pray in front of a Muslim or vice versa. What nonsense are Jais (Selangor Islamic Affairs Department) and exco Hasan Ali talking about?
Geronimo: It looks like I have to cancel all my invitations to my Muslim friends for my Christmas Day open house gathering this year. I do not want my house to be raided by Jais on grounds that my family and I are proselytising to my Muslim friends.
The behaviour of the Jais people is akin to Hitler's Gestapos. How could they barge into a private gathering uninvited and then search the premises without a warrant? I believe, the pastor of Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) can institute a legal suit against Jais for trespassing and harassment.
If I were PAS, it's time to take action on Hasan Ali, and fast, before he wrecks everything that party has built on the last four years.
Lover Boy: Since Jais has got proof, it is incumbent for them to show proof. Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim did the right thing, he is waiting for Jais report and he will be meeting pastor Daniel Ho.
If Jais proof is clear and unequivocal, then the Christians will have to feed the pastor to the lions. In the event Jais proof is like PM Najib Razak shaking hands with the Pope at the Vatican, I think the church have to bring legal action against Jais.
DannyLoHH: Let's see what 'proof' Jais has found. The church said the dinner was organised by Harapan Kumuniti. All the church needed to do is to get Harapan Kumuniti to come out and clarify this then, we'll know if Jais were on a witch-hunt.
The Jais action of disrupting a dinner function on religious ground is not acceptable. It is rude, and constitute as a form of harassment. DUMC should sue Jais for defamation and disruption of peace if Jais couldn't produce the so-called 'proof'.
Puchong Mali: If Hasan Ali is so sure of what he claims happened during the dinner event, the onus is on him to show concrete proof of it.
When I say concrete proof I don't mean just some names of Muslim attendees and some programme booklets. I mean proof that can stand the test of court of law (perhaps not our court). Falling short of that, it is just plain excuse trying to cover up for Jais' blunder.
Gerard Samuel Vijayan: What rubbish from Hasan Ali - the Umno stooge in PAS. The PAS leadership should just sack him or better still, tell him to join Umno since his heart is with them and he is a firm believer in the Ketuanan Melayu crap.
So Muslims are now not allowed to socialise with non-Muslims. The mere presence of Muslims in a church hall means that they are party to a Christian plot to convert them? So what if the words 'Quran' or 'prayer' were used, does that amount to proselytisation?
Both Christians and Muslims are people of the book and both religions teach us good things not division and suspicion as being espoused by Hasan and Jais. Where is the evidence of this attempt at proselytisation?
Christians are aware of the law and are not stupid to try to convert Muslims at a public function. What Jais wants to achieve is the total segregation of the Muslims and non-Muslims. And why is the sultan quiet?
Anonymous_5fb: There are Malays fed up with Islam, not because of Islam per se, but due to 'overzealous attitude' of Islamic authorities.
This is a fact but many Malay Muslims choose to keep in silent (some even suffered in silent) and not voicing out. They rather leave Malaysia so to have freedom of belief, and they are still true Muslims that make Islam beautiful.
There are plenty such cases, you can read them in the Internet.
Nik V: Religion should always be a personal view and not politicised or policed by the state. Are we not in the 21st century? All involved should just back down and learn from this matter and not repeat it ever again.
Ferdtan: PAS, if you don't sack Hasan Ali or if you put him as a candidate in the GE - forget about our votes. This is not the first time Hasan Ali is doing damage to the solidarity of the Pakatan Rakyat.
The raid by Jais has a political motive. If it is true; then arrest the participants straight away and charge them in public. Don't just make unproven accusations that you have found evidence of proselytisation towards Muslims?
Mamak Bendahara: It is clear from Hasan Ali's response, he did not really know the full story. A full report will only be compiled by Jais at the instruction of MB Khalid. Unfortunately, the MB has no direct power over Jais. It reports directly to the Selangor sultan.
Borg Kinaulu: The communists are coming to eat your children, Christian are proselytisation to convert Malays/Muslims - sounds like it's from the same music sheet.
Khalid can wait for the 'investigation report' but until proven otherwise, I think many people already made up their minds...
Swipenter: We are all waiting for Hasan Ali to show us the proof. Talk is cheap and in this case dangerous too.
Mokhtar Abu Seman: Trespassing into a religious place of worship is not constitutional and sets a very dangerous precedent.
No religious authorities should act in such a manner and no society in this world should condone such ill-behaviour.
・The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers.
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