For Pakatan, there is only one correct decision in the ‘Allah’ dispute
Ng Kee Seng, The Ant Daily
After weeks under the grip of the Umno-led Barisan Nasional’s senseless use of the “Allah” issue to disunite Malaysians, it is time to take stock of the sad state of religious intolerance and freedom in the country.
It is not too difficult to take a good grasp of the issue – why is BN, with all its political and governance power, not lifting a finger to stop the reckless indulgence in religious extremism? Clearly, it’s a political exercise to divide and rule Malaysians aimed at winning more Malay votes for Umno.
Are the religious extremists more powerful than the federal government? Are they more powerful than the rule of law?
All Umno leaders and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak have been doing is just issuing statements – as usual, all talk, no action to stop the assault on national unity.
And, is the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led Pakatan Rakyat doing any better to show they are truly Malaysians able to govern justly? The answer is an emphatic no.
So far, Pakatan has only disappointed the 52 per cent Malaysians who gave the opposition coalition the popular vote in the 13th general election.
Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has passed his state government’s responsibility to Pakatan to decide whether the 1988 BN-sanctioned state enactment banning non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” should be reviewed.
Did Khalid make a right decision? Well, it’s yes and no.
Yes because the “Allah” dispute is rightly a national issue, not exclusively a Selangor problem.
No because Khalid shows he does not have the confidence to settle the matter in the Selangor state legislative assembly even after Malaysians in Selangor had given Pakatan a two-thirds mandate in GE13.
Isn’t Pakatan no better or no different from BN?
So far, only three assemblymen, unfortunately all from the DAP, have displayed courage to show they truly represent justice to their electorate by sounding their intentions to move a motion in the state assembly to have the enactment reviewed to make it clear what can or cannot be imposed on Malaysians – Muslims and non-Muslims in the state.
Pakatan leaders have even gone one level up to quickly criticise the actions of the trio, branding them rash for failing to go through the proper channels in Pakatan.
The trio’s DAP chairman Karpal Singh, a veteran in politics, has issued a statement that the Federal Constitution supersedes state enactments and the Sultan’s decree.
It’s not the first time Karpal is making such a statement. It only affirms that Karpal is still dabbling in outdated politics – good at issuing statements, no action.
Malaysians have had enough of talk on the same issue since 2008. Get it resolved with political will.
It doesn’t matter if you win or lose in a motion in the state assembly. It’s better to be seen doing the right thing.
Karpal should have supported the trio who want to take the matter through the proper channel – the Selangor State Legislative Assembly.
The “Allah” issue is under international glare, and rightly so. How can it not attract global attention when Muslim extremists in Malaysia are claiming exclusive ownership on the word “Allah” that had been in use globally long before the founding of Islam?
As far back as last Nov 25, several independent United Nations human rights experts had urged the Malaysian government to reverse its decision to ban a Catholic publication from using the word “Allah” to refer to God, warning that the case may have far-reaching implications for religious minorities in the country.
“Freedom of religion or belief is a right of human beings, not a right of the State,” the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, stressed in a news release.
“It cannot be the business of the State to shape or reshape religious traditions, nor can the State claim any binding authority in the interpretation of religious sources or in the definition of the tenets of faith.”
According to the same UN news report, Rita Izsák, the Independent Expert on minority issues, said discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief constitutes a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and in this instance is a breach of the rights of a religious minority to freely practice and express their faith.
“Such actions may present an obstacle to friendly and peaceful relations between faith communities,” she warned.
The Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Frank La Rue, called on the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Malaysian government to take steps to immediately secure the right to freedom of opinion and expression of the newspaper and withdraw unconditionally from further litigation on this issue.
On Jan 15, a rare voice of reasoning came from a head of state in Islamic religious affairs.
Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, at his investiture ceremony in conjunction with his 66th birthday, urged Malaysian Muslims to respect each individual’s religion to avoid disharmony.
Tuanku Muhriz said Islam, as a religion, teaches men to do good to each other regardless of their background and race.
“In a Malaysian context, the Constitution has set Islam as the official religion of the country without hindering others to practise their own religions.
“With that, I urge Malaysian Muslims to continue living in harmony with each other and ensuring respect is given to others who practise different religions.”
Tuanku Muhriz called on leaders of every community to cast aside sentiments which can destroy the harmony the country is thriving in.
“It is the responsibility of elected leaders at all levels to develop programmes and activities which can lead people to appreciate and defend the country’s peace,” he added.
After 56 years of Merdeka under the Alliance Party-Barisan Nasional rule, Malaysians know where the Umno-led coalition stands on matters of interest afflicting Malaysians.
What about Pakatan? There is only one right decision to affirm its relevance – display a political will to make that decision that distinguishes it from BN.
Anything less will only show it is no better than BN. It will certainly spell the beginning of an erosion of the faith of 52 per cent of Malaysians who placed their hopes on Pakatan for a sincerely just government.
