30 civil societies urge Malaysia to protest against Brunei’s Xmas ban
(The Malaysian Insider) – Thirty Malaysian civil societies of different faiths have called on Putrajaya to voice its opposition and concern to the Brunei government for criminalising public Christmas celebrations.
The societies, which include Christian as well as Muslim groups, said Brunei’s ban on public celebrations of Christmas violated Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
They said the ban also affected Malaysian citizens in Brunei, and went against Islamic principles of tolerance and respect for religious freedom.
“We urge the federal government of Malaysia and the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak to register their strongest protest and grave concern to the Brunei government,” the civil societies said in a statement yesterday.
The groups said celebrations of any faith were not synonymous with proselytisation and called the ban “unwarranted religious repression”.
“If Malaysia gives passive consent to such religious persecution of non-Muslims under the flimsy pretext of respecting national sovereignty, then Malaysia forfeits the moral high ground to speak up against similar religious repression of Muslims elsewhere in the world.”
They added that the criminalisation was hostile and offensive to Malaysia, given that it was also imposed on Malaysians working, residing or travelling in Brunei. Offenders may be jailed up to five years for observing such celebrations.
“Until the criminalisation is lifted, the Malaysian High Commission must be prepared to provide legal and political support for all Malaysians prosecuted for exercising their religious freedom.”
The groups also warned that the ban would fuel Islamaphobia and portray Islam as a religion of intolerance and repression.
“Brunei should instead show the world that Islam stands for inclusivity and justice and fairness.”
