Malaysiakini（http://www.malaysiakini.com）
(1) Najib visits five places of worship, but mum on 'Allah', 2 February 2013
by Koh Jun Lin
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today visited five places of worship in a span of two hours in an apparent bid to sooth interfaith ties, but remained mum on the use of the word ‘Allah' in Malay-language bibles or threats to burn them.
He began his walkabout at 4pm visiting a church, a surau and three temples - Chinese, Hindu and Buddhist - all in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. The prime minister signed a commemorative plaque at each destination and then handed over a RM30,000 mock cheque.
Najib's silence is a stark contrast to many prominent politicians - both in BN and Pakatan Rakyat - who have weighed in on the issue.
Among them are DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and MCA publicity chief Loh Seng Kok - both calling for the word to be allowed in the Bible in accordance with a High Court ruling - PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man opposing it, and Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon urging calm and pointing out that the matter is still in the Court of Appeal.
The places of worship visited by Najib were the Tamil Methodist Church, Sam Kow Tong Temple, Madrasathul Gouthiyyah, Sri Sakhti Vinayagar Temple and the Buddhist Maha Vihara, while he performed the Asar prayers at the Madrasathul Gouthiyyah.
In his speech at the end of his ‘Harmony Walk' in conjunction with the launch of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, Najib issued a general plea for moderation and urged Malaysians to reject extremism.
"I have always said that interfaith problems are no fault of the religion itself, but extremists and fanatics who chose violence.
"If they had chosen moderation instead and believed in dialogue, consultation and reject violence and extremism, I believe the world would be a more peaceful and harmonious," he said.
To back his case, he cited the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which he said was not a religious conflict but an example of a land grab.
Regardless of faith, he said any person would be aggrieved if their land, sovereignty and rights are taken.
Three principles to ensure peace
Najib said that moderation, along with mutual respect and fairness, are three principles that help ensure peace in the country.
"The BN government will defend and practice these principles. Believe me, this is our promise to the people of Malaysia, and our promises are 'Janji ditepati'," he said.
According to the premier, respect must be practiced by Malaysians of all religions.
"The action of some who play politics and not care for the sensitivity of Muslims simply to gain support for the general election, showed that they are not responsible leaders.
“In Islam, Prophet Nabi Muhammad SAW has taught us to respect other religions and if other creed respects Islam, there will be no problems in this country,” he said, without mentioning the 'Allah' controversy.
The longstanding issue on the use of ‘Allah' as translation for God in Malay-language Bibles is among of the most divisive religious issue in Malaysia.
Opponents say that ‘Allah' is exclusive to Muslims and the word ‘Tuhan' should be the more appropriate translation. Others countered that ‘Allah' has been used in Arab-speaking countries without problems or creating confusion among Muslims.
In 2009, the High Court ruled that non-Muslims can use 'Allah' for God in their Bahasa Malaysia literature and holy book, but the government has filed an appeal against the decision which is still pending.
Recently, the controversy resurfaced after Lim's Christmas message last year urging for ‘Allah' to be allowed, triggering threats from Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali to burn such Bibles.
Lim had later clarified that his message was meant for East Malaysians, where there are many Christians using Malay as their mother tongue.
(2) No discussion on 'Allah' at Nik Aziz-Karpal meet, 2 February 2013
It is wrong to say the PAS Syura Council's decision regarding the ‘Allah’ issue is well received by non-Muslims including the DAP leadership, said DAP national chairman Karpal Singh.
Karpal Singh told a press conference in Georgetown today that he was disappointed with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's statement to this effect.
He said this in commenting on a news report quoting Hadi as saying the prohibition on non-Muslims from using the ‘Allah’ word in their holy books was settled and that the DAP's top leadership had also accepted the explanation on the matter given by PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat during a brief meeting with him (Karpal Singh) in Penang last Monday.
He stressed that nothing was discussed regarding the ‘Allah’ issue when he met with Nik Aziz at an informal meeting last Monday.
He said the Syura Council should not stick firmly to its stand as it conflicted with the stand taken by Pakatan Rakyat which is made up of the DAP, PAS and PKR.
Karpal Singh added that the DAP was not meddling in the internal affairs of PAS but instead was upholding a stand which had already been taken by Pakatan the after DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, Hadi and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the de facto leader of PKR, had agreed that the word ‘Allah’ can be used by non-Muslims.
- Bernama
(3) Penang police wrap up probe on 'Bible burning', 2 February 2013
by Bernama
The investigation paper (IP) on an alleged plot by certain quarters to burn copies of the Malay version of the Bible at Padang Bandaran Bagan Luar, Butterworth last Sunday, is ready and will be submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers next week, said Penang deputy police chief Abdul Rahim Jaafar.
"Police have recorded statements from several individuals concerning the case including Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) president Ibrahim Ali and its information chief Roslan Kassim.
"The IP will be submitted to the AG's Chambers next week," he told reporters after launching a road safety operation in conjunction with the Chinese New Year at the Juru Toll Plaza in Bukit Mertajam today.
Police had acted on the case following a report lodged by a pastor on the alleged plot.
The pastor had found pamphlets calling on people to turn up at the field on Sunday to burn copies of the Malay version of the Bible in the mailbox of his church.
Two fugitives yet to be found
In a separate matter, Abdul Rahim said police believed the two fugitives who escaped from police custody while in transit from the lock-up to court on Jan 7 but still haven't been caught, could have received help from members of their "network" to evade arrest.
He advised relatives or members of the public not to harbour them as it was an offence under the law.
He added that police were still hunting for the duo - Hamzani Harun, 37, and Hisham Abdul Rahman, 39 - and believed they were still in the state.
Out of nine detainees being transported to court that day, seven escaped in the incident but two have since been shot dead by police while the others were re-arrested or surrendered themselves.
On the rape case involving an 11-year-old girl in Balik Pulau on Wednesday, Abdul Rahim said police had identified the two suspects involved and expected to make arrests soon.
- Bernama
(4) PAS: No second thoughts on 'Allah' issue, 3 February 2013
The PAS Syura Council reportedly will not reconsider its decision that non-Muslims may not use the word "Allah" as translation for "God" in Malay-language bibles.
It was commenting on DAP chairperson Karpal Singh's statement yesterday urging the council to rethink its stance.
"The Syura Council decision is final and there will be no second decision," the council's secretary Nik Zawawi Nik Salleh reportedly said.
"He (Karpal) must understand. In PAS, it is the Syura Council that decides on policy issues and the ‘Allah' issue is a policy issue," he was quoted in the Malay-language daily Sinar Harian today.
He also reportedly chided the Bukit Gelugor MP on his apparent lack of understanding of how PAS is organised.
"Ikut pandai dialah (Leave him be), I can't be bothered to comment on this issue anymore. The decision is final."
Previously, the same daily quoted Karpal urging PAS to consider Pakatan Rakyat's consensus to allow the translation to be used, and not the Syura Council decision.
"Pakatan Rakyat is a large organisation whereas the Syura Council is just PAS," he was quoted saying in the daily yesterday.
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