Article taken from http://www.advocateviews.blogspot.com/
By Ronnie klassen
It's kind of puzzling that Christian leaders in the country like Tan Sri Bernard Dompok ,Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan ,Tan Sri Joseph Kurup ,Datuk VK Liew ,Datuk Maximus Ongkili ,Tan Sri Leo Moggie, Datuk George Chan, Datuk James Masing, and others in Barisan Nasional have been silent over the controversial article "Tinjauan Al-Islam dalam Gereja:Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Melayu Murtad" that appeared in the Al-Islam magazine published by Utusan Karya Sdn.Bhd.
Is the thundering silence because of their fear of loosing their coveted positions, perks and privileges or, have they quietly converted to other religion? And come to think of it, what about the Christian opposition leaders in Sabah? Why are they silent as well?
In a post that appeared in the NutGraph blog on the 10th.July.2009,it was reported that a Muslim journalist accompanied by another person went to two Catholic Churches in Kuala Lumpur on an investigative mission to find out if allegations that young Muslims were being converted to Christianity were true.The journalist,whose by-line in the article was,Muhd Ridhwan Abdul Jalil,describe the holy communion ritual as "upacara makan roti putih"and wrote about how he was given the wafer by the priest.The article also carried a photograph of the wafer(which he spite out, with a caption that identified it as the wafer that was place in his mouth.This is "total disrespect"as Christians regard "holy communion"as a sacred matter,held with great reverence and cannot in any way be mishandled or (treated) with a lack of respect.The Muslim journalist and his friend had "violated our sense of privacy" and had the cheek to say that there were many Malay-looking people in Church,who coincidentally were Sabahans.The Catholic parishioners in Penang did the right thing when they lodged a police report on the matter. Lets hope the police would carry out a thorough investigation, without fear and favour, and make public the outcome of their investigation on what was the real motive behind the controversial report.It is learnt that police have classified the case under Section 298A (1) of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.If convicted, the duo, both non-Christians who worked for Al-Islam which published the article in its May edition, could be jailed between two and five years.Investigations commenced after a police report was lodged against the two men.Federal Criminal Investigations Department director Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said police have so far recorded statements from at least four people, including church authorities, in connection with the article.Police are expected to haul up the reporters soon.I call upon Prime Minister Dato'Sri Najib Tun Razak and Minister of Home Affairs Dato'Sri Hishamudin to intervene for a speedy investigation.In order to ensure transparency of the investigation,I urge the opposition shadow commitee MP's to assist in the investigation in the name of democracy and religious fairness.
It's kind of puzzling that Christian leaders in the country like Tan Sri Bernard Dompok ,Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan ,Tan Sri Joseph Kurup ,Datuk VK Liew ,Datuk Maximus Ongkili ,Tan Sri Leo Moggie, Datuk George Chan, Datuk James Masing, and others in Barisan Nasional have been silent over the controversial article "Tinjauan Al-Islam dalam Gereja:Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Melayu Murtad" that appeared in the Al-Islam magazine published by Utusan Karya Sdn.Bhd.
Is the thundering silence because of their fear of loosing their coveted positions, perks and privileges or, have they quietly converted to other religion? And come to think of it, what about the Christian opposition leaders in Sabah? Why are they silent as well?
In a post that appeared in the NutGraph blog on the 10th.July.2009,it was reported that a Muslim journalist accompanied by another person went to two Catholic Churches in Kuala Lumpur on an investigative mission to find out if allegations that young Muslims were being converted to Christianity were true.The journalist,whose by-line in the article was,Muhd Ridhwan Abdul Jalil,describe the holy communion ritual as "upacara makan roti putih"and wrote about how he was given the wafer by the priest.The article also carried a photograph of the wafer(which he spite out, with a caption that identified it as the wafer that was place in his mouth.This is "total disrespect"as Christians regard "holy communion"as a sacred matter,held with great reverence and cannot in any way be mishandled or (treated) with a lack of respect.The Muslim journalist and his friend had "violated our sense of privacy" and had the cheek to say that there were many Malay-looking people in Church,who coincidentally were Sabahans.The Catholic parishioners in Penang did the right thing when they lodged a police report on the matter. Lets hope the police would carry out a thorough investigation, without fear and favour, and make public the outcome of their investigation on what was the real motive behind the controversial report.It is learnt that police have classified the case under Section 298A (1) of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.If convicted, the duo, both non-Christians who worked for Al-Islam which published the article in its May edition, could be jailed between two and five years.Investigations commenced after a police report was lodged against the two men.Federal Criminal Investigations Department director Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said police have so far recorded statements from at least four people, including church authorities, in connection with the article.Police are expected to haul up the reporters soon.I call upon Prime Minister Dato'Sri Najib Tun Razak and Minister of Home Affairs Dato'Sri Hishamudin to intervene for a speedy investigation.In order to ensure transparency of the investigation,I urge the opposition shadow commitee MP's to assist in the investigation in the name of democracy and religious fairness.
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