1.The Star Online (http://thestar.com.my)
Ties with Vatican bode well for unity, 7 August 2011
by LOURDES CHARLES(sunday@thestar.com.my)
Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Tan Sri Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam shares, among others, his views about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.
THE meeting and establishing of diplomatic ties with the Vatican show that Malaysia is a moderate Islamic country, not a Taliban country, says Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Tan Sri Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam.
“It also shows (that) the political leadership of this country wants to go in the direction of moderation.”
Pakiam: 'One specific wish is to regain the special ethos in education by obtaining a licence to have a Teachers Training College'
In an interview with The Star, he talks about the significance of the bilateral ties with the Holy See, the hopes and aspirations of non-Muslims in Malaysia in general and of the Catholic Church, which he leads, in particular. He says the Catholic Church has submitted to the Government a wish list of its hopes and aspirations, among them the establishment of “some structured channels whereby the Government could hear the grouses and aspirations of the non-Muslim religious leaders”, and to “make contributions through our mission schools.”
“We had very good mission schools. The Prime Minister himself as well as several ministers and officials from east Malaysia are from mission schools,” he says.
Q: What do you think of the meeting between the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and Pope Benedict XVI at the Holy See?
A: The Prime Minister has been known internationally to be advocating moderation and harmony. He has initiated a global movement of the moderates and spoken of this at the United Nations as well as at Asean meetings.
His meeting with the Holy Father is seen as a meeting of the voice of the moderate with the voice of peace, justice, fundamental rights as well as reason in matters of faith, which the Holy Father represents.
By meeting the Pope, who stands for moral values, Datuk Seri Najib is affirming his desire to work for a society based on moral values. He is signalling the direction in which he wishes to lead our country. I pray that this encounter will bear fruit and will echo strongly in our country.
Q: What can be achieved with such bilateral ties and how does it differ from other bilateral ties?
A: Our bilateral ties have no economic value, so to speak, but (it is) more of moral values which include all other faiths as well. I believe the whole visit has shown goodwill and has a symbolic value. It also has value on the international level. The meeting and establishing of diplomatic ties with the Vatican show that Malaysia is a moderate Islamic country, not a Taliban country. It also shows (that) the political leadership of this country wants to go in the direction of moderation. We also hope the civil society and NGOs will not fail to do their part to achieve this vision.
Q: Do you think the visit and establishment of bilateral ties will create and improve the relationship between the Government and the Christian community in general?
A: Yes, I believe so although the signing is more on the international scene. Nevertheless, it is indicative of where we need to go. Much has to be worked in the political conscience of every citizen, that is to be upright and to work for civil rights of every citizen and person in the country.
The church is committed to playing its part by promoting moral and human values and forming people to be persons of integrity and at the service of others especially the marginalised. And thus also to eliminate such things as corruption in society that has crept into nearly every country including ours. We have to work to overcome it for the good of the whole society. However, this cannot happen overnight. We understand that it takes time and great effort by all.
Q: What are the hopes and aspirations of the Catholic Church that were put forward to the Government even before the meeting took place?
A: We submitted a wish list of the hopes and aspirations of the Catholic Church to the Government. First of all is establishing some structured channels whereby the Government could hear the grouses and aspirations of the non-Muslim religious leaders and also to forge dialogues with the religion of the federation as per the Federal Constitution.
One specific wish is to regain the special ethos in education by obtaining a licence to have a Teachers Training College so that we can form teachers very much in this value system and thus make contributions through our mission schools. We had very good mission schools. The Prime Minister himself as well as several ministers and officials from east Malaysia are from mission schools.
Q: How far do you think the Prime Minister is willing to go in improving, and having a more, harmonious relationship between the different religions in this country?
A: He is trying and I take him for his word. It is not easy for him as a Prime Minister who also has to listen to and take care of his own party and race. He has to lead and direct them. Much also depends on those who are influential within society, such as the NGOs who keep raising their voices for democracy.
We in the Catholic Church too have a role to play. We ourselves are made up of different ethnic groups, the Indian and Chinese origins as well as the natives from east Malaysia. We have to work hard to build one community of God's people and we have to accommodate people of different origins and cultures.
We have to do this especially in our worship. It requires a struggle for tolerance and mutual acceptance, and that effort has been going on in the Catholic community for many years and it is bearing fruit. But it is a long process and we have to keep working on it and in this way we too contribute to “1Malaysia”.
Q: Now that we have diplomatic ties with the Vatican, will there be an embassy in Kuala Lumpur?
A: Yes, and we are looking forward to having a Nuncio (Ambassador) from the Vatican to be based here.
Q: When you went to Rome with the Prime Minister, several people via social media labelled you a traitor and there were Catholics, including priests, who were not happy with your decision to go.
A: Some people misunderstood the situation; I do not blame them. Yes, I was invited to be in the Prime Minister's delegation but I turned it down. The reason was, normal Vatican protocol does not usually allow for a bishop to accompany a state delegation to meet the Pope. I believe the Government then contacted the Vatican and I was later given notice that the Holy Father agreed to me being in the delegation. So it was the request of the Holy Father and I have to respect that.
Q: What was the Prime Minister's reaction at the meeting with the Pope?
A: He was happy and the meeting was very cordial. Other ministers and religious officials who were in the delegation too were impressed.
Q: Surely, arrangements for the meeting could not have taken overnight. How long did it take to set up the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Holy Father?
A: They worked on it for many years. All apostolic delegates overseeing Malaysia over the years too had been meeting with government officials. But the decision to establish relations came very quickly in the end. I was informed about it only days before the trip and it came as a pleasant surprise.
・ 1995-2011 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
2. Malaysiakini(http://www.malaysiakini.com)
(1) Expect more Christian-bashing to come, 8 August 2011
'This is not an isolated incident. In Penang, fanatics accused Christians of plotting to make Christianity the religion of this nation.'
Bishop Paul decries vilification of Christians
Malaysiasakit: Having benefitted immensely from the works of Christian missionaries in areas of nation building such as education and healthcare, this Islamic nation now turns around and bite the very hand that nurture it.
The sacrifices of the La Sallian brothers, the Methodist and Catholic movements have been forgotten and now the present-day Christians vilified. Is that how you thank Christians for their contributions to the nation?
Anonymous_403: This crude intrusion into a house of worship should be condemned by all honest people. How do you like when we go into your house of worship and do the same thing? Will you like it?
This is not an isolated incident. In Penang recently, fanatics and bigots accused a dinner party of Christians as plotting to make Christianity the religion of this nation. How absurd can a person be, when the Constitution clearly states that Islam is the religion of this nation?
Moreover, who gave the idea that Christians, who are in the minority, could have a Christian PM?
Who Is That Masked Man?: Only cowards would use lies at the expense of religion to further their cause. To the powers-that-be, the end justifies the means. Even during the holy month of Ramadan.
By the way, they used to dump tons of free Utusan Malaysia newspapers in the hospitals. I was offered the newspaper once and I told them I don't read rubbish. The receptionist was so embarrassed and realised that although they were free, the private hospital shouldn't distribute crap. I later saw all of the newspaper in the trash can, where it truly belongs.
Bad officials are elected by good people who don't vote. Register to vote now. You can decide how this country should be run and not wasted by obsolete parties with no sincerity, talent nor integrity. People of all races should unite and save this beautiful country.
Nik V: While I have always been impressed by Bishop Paul Tan's wisdom, I would also like to caution the bishop not to appear that he has taken sides and already decided who is guilty.
While Jais may have done what they have done without following proper channels, neither can we assume that the Christian church was not doing what Jais said they were doing either.
Onyourtoes: Has it ever occurred to you that the insinuation and innuendo are intended? It is to galvanise Malays/Muslims support. They have long written off non-Malay and Christian votes.
I think they have done some mental maths - if somehow 70 percent of the Malays can be persuaded to support Umno, they may stand a chance to stay in power. Damn with the Christians and non-Malays.
YF: People, we are playing into the hands of a probable Umno sandiwara. They are vilifying the Christians to gain support of the fence-sitting Malays and make them believe that PAS has sold out Islam. Umno is not stupid, they are very cunning and deceitful, even during Ramadan.
Traj: Bishop Paul Tan, you are a man amongst all men. Your courage should be a guidance for all peace-loving Malaysians of all religions. I shudder at the thundering silence of Archbishop Rev Murphy Pakiam. What has become of him?
Further the deafening silence of our Christian politicians like Pairin Kitingan, Maximus Ongkili and the rest is sad, but probably not surprising as we know who is lining their pockets.
In this period of Christian-bashing, all Malaysians need to stand up and kick the incompetent, corrupt government out.
Disbeliever: Your Lordship, thank you for taking a bold yet brave stand. We Christians, especially Catholics, look up to you for wisdom and indeed we shall make our voices be heard at the ballot box.
It is true that the ruling government is clamouring for Malay votes and that they have given up on the non-Malay votes. Thus they are resorting to whatever means to 'uniting' the split Malay votes hoping to stay in power come the next general elections.
I hope that all Malaysians irrespective of their colour or creed would be wise enough to see through this wicked scheme of the ruling government. It's time for us to go for change to ensure a future for the future generations of all Malaysians.
Malaysiawatch4.blogspot: Just casting your vote is not enough as the election process can be 'shanghaied' via cheating during the voting process and even the Election Commission may be part of the scheme.
All loyal Malaysians should try and volunteer to be a counting agent or polling agent to prevent cheating at the elections. To find out more, go and visit the PKR/PAS/DAP office near your house and inquire about being a volunteer.
You need not be a member, just be concerned that polling needs to be an exercise where cheating is reduced to a minimum. Even if you cannot be a volunteer on polling day, the knowledge you gain can make a difference.
Multi Racial: I just don't know what to say. I am loss of words. This is a country that preach freedom of religion but use taxpayers money to establish an organisation with the sole purpose of doing what each individual Muslims can do for themselves.
What is the point of forcing someone to believe in something if their hearts are not there? Religion is a private thing between oneself and God. Who and how you want to believe, we leave it to individual as it is really none of our business. So is Jais or Jakim or Umno or PAS.
I rather the government of the day spend productive time on fighting corruption, develop the country and keep us safe.
Docs: History has show that Christianity has always shone the brightest in times of adversity. The persecution of the Malaysian Christian community will galvanised them to unite.
・The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments.
(2) When Christian aid is viewed with suspicion, 8 August 2011
'But look at the calamity in Iran, such as the earthquake in Bam, or the tsunami in Aceh. The main donors are not from Muslim countries.'
If Muslims turn to others for help, who's to blame?
FairMind: If Muslims turn to others for help, who's to blame? Of course, blame the others.
How else to explain that after 50 years of rule by Umno, there are still so many poor Malays despite the affirmative policies? How else to explain but that the money goes to the pockets of Umno and its cronies? And how else to get the ignorant Malays to vote for Umno every time for over 50 years? Isn't it obvious?
If Mother Teresa is still alive and is here in Malaysia, she will get the blame too. It is only the mission schools in Malaysia that are not being blamed because Umno's own leaders and our royalty once studied in these schools.
Black Mamba: The reasons we are poor and have to resort to any religious body, whether Buddhist Kachana kitchen, Hindus, Christians soup kitchen, Sai Baba, Japanese Shinto, Taoist, Kuan Ying temple vegetarian or whatever for food to ease our burden is because the ruling party BN has been draining our coffers dry.
From PKFZ, Perwaja, Petronas, Mindef Scorpene and what not, have they not emptied. The woes of the Malays today are due to the corrupt ways of the Malaysian leadership.
Headwillroll: Everyone should help everyone in need irrespective of the religious background of the donor/recipient.
It is only human that we accord kindness to persons in need. If we are people belonging to a faith - Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, etc - it's even more important for us to quickly lend a helping hand.
If you are hungry and ask me for food, if you got into an accident, if you are sick, do I need to ask you what religion you belong to? Today it may be you rendering help, tomorrow you may be the one requiring help.
CHKS: If I am suffering, and my fellow brothers can't lift a finger to help and yet get zealous over religious issues to the iota in a pharisaical manner, this is called hypocrisy - be it in Christianity or Islam.
Maybe, Jais (Selangor Islamic Affairs Department) is 'jealous' over the extent of the compassion shown by DUMC (Damansara Utama Methodist Church). Well said, ex-Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin. I learned a lot from this article, even as a Christian.
Pasupathy Kanagasaby: I have helped a number of poor Malay families without batting an eyelid. I feel proud that as a Malaysian Christian, I am able to assist the poor and needy.
I think that more of us should help one another without worrying about religious bigots who are scared of their own shadow and wish to show that they are high and mighty just because they wear jackets flashing their names.
They should be ashamed of themselves for earning salaries paid for by all Malaysians of various religious denominations.
Anonymous_4031: Jais and those who are super religious, go to all the poor areas and set up centres for food distribution. Set up clinics and heal the AIDS/HIV sufferers.
Go to the prostitutes and help them. Go to the gambling dens and help the gamblers. Go to the poor slums and help them get shelter. Go to the weak students and teach them. Go to the poorest areas in Sarawak and Sabah, Perlis, Terengganu, etc, and help them in terms of food, shelter, education.
Yes, do all these as Christians have done so selflessly. Then you will earn brownie points in heaven.
Lover Boy: This problem only exists in Malaysia. Look at the calamity in Iran, such as the earthquake in Bam, or the tsunami in Aceh. Look at the international donations that the victims received and you will know that the main contributors are not from Muslim countries.
Onyourtoes: That is why I have always maintained that government-administrated welfare and charity programmes are jokes. Most of the time, people who administrate the programmes are the one who benefit the most.
Geronimo: In the early 70s, I was involved with one of our church movements, the St Vincent de Paul Society For the Poor.
We have monthly collections from the parishioners and these monies were then used to buy provisions for the poor, such as a packet of rice, sugar, salt, salted fish, a can of condensed milk, and biscuits, that would probably not last more than 10 days.
We distributed the rations on the first Saturday of each month in the church compound and the recipients were Chinese, Indians and Malays. Even though with such meagre handouts, some of these elderly folks were so grateful that they would cling onto your clothes and cry.
There was never at any one time when the thought of converting these poor folks to Christianity appeared in our minds. Now to be told by Hasan Ali that we give handouts to convert the Malays is really a low blow.
PAS to meet with Jais, DUMC over raid
Swipenter: Did Hasan Ali and Jais produce any concrete evidence of Christians proselytising Muslims? Yes or no? PAS, please don't pussyfoot on this matter and prolong it any longer than necessary.
Lover Boy: PAS president Hadi Awang, the place was raided by Jais and your party member, Hasan Ali, has made a serious allegation that the DUMC are proselytising Muslims. Hasan says that they have proof. Show it.
As for DUMC, I think you should not attend the meeting with PAS leaders until they show some prima facie proof.
Alan Goh: In all fairness to PAS, everyone should give time to Hadi Awang to get to the bottom of the Jais controversy. If Jais had acted wrongly by raiding the DUMC community party and failed to produce the evidence for the raid, Jais should apologise unreservedly to DUMC.
Hasan Ali should then resign from the Selangor exco immediately. Better still, 'lompat' to Umno.
Soapbox23: Now, now, let's take a step back and reflect. Both the Christians and Muslim faiths have preached to their flock that to convert a non-believer to their faiths would ultimately reward them in heaven.
Very often, you see destitute Hindus joining either faith and becoming very devout in the new religions they embrace, be it Christianity or Islam.
Look around and you will note that the Indian Muslims and the Indian Christians are very often pretty staunch in their beliefs, perhaps because of the initial help their forefathers received from the churches and mosques. I suspect that all parties in this little squabble are pretty much aware that there is nothing known as a free lunch, thus the suspicion.
I believe that both Jesus and the Prophet gave freely without any agenda, but his followers are having difficulty emulating their examples.
Black Mamba: The onus is not on DUMC to explain. Jais barging in without a search warrant - that is its first offence. Harassment of guests in a religious ground is the second offence.
Rummaging and trampling through a prayer sanctuary is the third offence.
Just show proof of proselytising and cut out the rest.
Ambiga thanks PSM 6 for taking the heat for Bersih
Inspektor Klueso: I'm very moved by these noble people who risked their personal well-being standing tall and firm against tyranny and oppression. Long live the rakyat, long live the PSM 6.
Show that you are men and women of action, not mere words.
Lexicon: Suaram director Kua Kia Soong knows better than most the long history of arbitrary imprisonment of dissidents in Malaysia. We look forward to all Malaysians building on the opening that Bersih has carved out in our political lives, so that the ISA and EO will simply be a shameful memory for Malaysians.
YellowSub: Oppressive governments always detain the weak and poor first as the rich have the means and connections to be free - but human spirit is such that money cannot buy freedom. I doubt PM Najib Razak and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein know anything being poor or bullied, having both been born with a silver spoon.
Anonymous_4031: If Najib says he has no fear of facing the voters in an open election, then just do it now with all the eight Bersih demands.
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(3) Perhaps they should close all mission schools, too
Aug 7, 11 8:31am
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'Islam is strong and robust and does not need these religious zealots to 'protect' it. It has outlived them for many hundreds of years.'
Christians reject 'charity-for-conversion' claim
Not Confused: As a Christian, I feel sorry and somewhat embarrassed for the majority of right-thinking and intelligent Muslims in this country.
At every turn, the so-called guardians of the Islamic faith rush around like headless chickens on totally unnecessary missions, trying to stop the devout followers of Islam from converting to Christianity.
These religious upholders of the Islamic faith (read: bigots) see nothing but suspicion and evil in anything and everything. If this is what Islam teaches, then I would not be surprised if its followers want to desert it.
However, Islam is strong and robust and does not need these religious zealots to 'protect' it. It has outlived them for many hundreds of years and will carry on regardless of their idiotic behaviour.
YF: Do Christians pay people to be converted? I became a Christian out of my own free will and nobody paid me. So what is all this nonsense accusations?
Is financial aid to non-Christians deemed as payments for conversion? You got to be kidding me, right? Me and my fellow Christians have given financial aid to non-Christians even Muslims yet never have we demanded that they become Christians.
Christ called us to freely give - the parable of the Good Samaritan is a good example of someone of another faith is more charitable and loving than people of their own faith (see Luke 10:25-37).
So for those who make such baseless claims, I doubt you know the truth of the matter. You seem to only see what you want to see, hear what you want to hear. Fiction is not a fact, and if one is biased, one can turn such fiction into fact. That is the problem with Jais and their like.
Malayamuda: Some of us get people knocking on our gates to spread the "good news". Is that fiction or fact? Render help without ulterior motives?
Gokula Krishnan: As much as this is politicised, there is some truth to this. I don't know about Muslims being converted through charity but the activity of Hindu conversion to Christianity through charity has been happening since the 80s.
I am not here to say if that's right or wrong. Religion is good business, always has been and I have seen with my own eyes such activities happening in Klang and the rubber estates. Good for the ones who have converted - if that gives them better future, why not?
Is this morally right? I don't know. I am not sure if the Christians have any rules against this type of conversion. If going by history, wars were fought and people slaughtered in the name of religion. So for a change, charity for conversion doesn't seem that wrong, is it?
Malaysian Born: This was a function carried out in public for the purpose of raising money to help people suffering from AIDS.
For the Jais team to raid a church property without a warrant is extreme and would in most civilised countries be sensitive, and not a decision that should be taken based on frivolous innuendos and rumours.
The other thing that I find puzzling is the regular complaint about insulting Islam - what should we do in this case to these characters who disrespect other religions under the guise of some trumped-up and unprovable accusations?
The comment made in government-controlled media linking Christian charity to proselytisation is contemptible. So every time we hear Muslim prayers at government functions, we should consider it an attempt to convert us to Islam?
Borneo Son: Charity has been the hallmark of Christianity throughout the ages. The first great commandment that Jesus taught is to love God with one's entire being and the second is to love one's neighbour as oneself.
Christian missionaries were in this country for over 100 years carrying out social work through schools and hospitals, and there was no compulsion for people to convert. Otherwise, many of those who attended missions schools would have become Christians.
Regarding "good news", when you know and truly believe you have something good, you definitely will want to share it with others, but it is up to the recipient to decide whether to accept it or reject it. That's what freedom is.
Not Convinced: Perhaps they should close down all the Christian schools in Malaysia.
Didn't Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Prime Minister Najib Razak, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and Bank Negara governor Zeti Aziz all went to school at St John's Institution?
Housing developers may be asked to provide mosques
Dood: Why not just force housing developers to build mansions for Muslims at heavily discounted prices too? Something like 99 percent discount would work.
The fact is, everything comes with a price. Do you think the developers will happily absorb the cost of building such facilities? No, the cost will simply be footed by the buyers. And why is it that we need discriminatory rules that some people must get certain benefits by virtue of race or religion?
Quigonbond: If the developer is required to bear the cost, then it should be a fairly modest mosque because essentially it will end up being the purchaser's hard-earned money.
You think the developer is going to build one out of their generosity? While they are required to build a mosque, they might as well designate a place for other places of worship to be 'muhibbah'.
One thing to consider - having a mosque is really fine, but the developer/mosque organising/maintenance committee should ensure that the speakers are of good quality. A pleasant voice of prayer is soothing even for non-Muslims, but not one that's squeaky or ear piercing.
Disbeliever: What is more important is our faith and how we live our lives, and how we should respect the beliefs and cultures of the various communities in Malaysia.
Looking at recent events in the country, it is obvious that generally Malaysians respect one another's beliefs and cultures but some people tend to be holier than others and want to dictate how others should believe in God and practise our faith in the way this group of people deemed fit.
Even the Great Muhammad, s.a.w. had respect for the non-Muslims but alas, this can't be said of some people, especially some of those serving in the religious authorities.
Azizi Khan: Does that mean the Housing and Local Government Ministry will make it a requirement for other houses of worship as well? Just to be fair of course since everyone knows that the government funding comes from taxpayers from all religious background.
Fairnessforall: Maybe it's time non-Muslims refuse to buy houses where special privileges are given to one race and the cost past on to others. This is not fair, so we should boycott every project that builds an mosque at the expense of the buyers.
Those idiots who propose this should know that there is no way the developer will absorb the cost, but would pass it to the buyers. Eventually when developers are not able to sell those houses then those who came up with such idiotic idea can answer for it.
Chan: Yes, a church and a temple will be really helpful too. Thank you, minister.
・The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers.
