Saving Our Faith

The recent issues surrounding the Christianity faith in Malaysia are truly disgusting. We, the ordinary Malaysians who work 8 – 5 for the purpose of raising up our family are becoming more and more anxious as day by day goes by. Our anxiety is well justified. We waited for the current Govt. to tackle this issue appropriately, yet biased and prejudicial decisions or statements were being issued. The silence by Putrajaya on these issues do not help at all.

The ordinary Muslim Malaysians (who never thought of having a cold war with the Chinese, Indians and non-Muslim bumiputras of Malaysia) felt sad because they’re being pitted against the non-Muslim Malaysians. Religion are being used as an Ace of Spade by some of the political leaders in Malaysia with the hope of getting the support from the Muslim Malaysians especially within the Malays on the pretext of being the ‘Guardian of Malays and Muslim faith in Malaysia’.

The real gist of the Rukunegara ‘Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan’ is that everyone in Malaysia is free to profess their faith WITHOUT ANY DISCRIMINATION. For what good the first 

Rukunegara would be if non-Muslims are being discriminated? The temple issue, the Bible issue, the ‘Allah’ issue, the Thanksgiving Dinner issue and the Tuition issue? Mass media spearheaded by TV3 is now seems to be enjoying their time sensationalizing any sensitive religious issue out of proportion ever since Bersih 2.0 rally which gathered hundred thousands of Muslim and non-Muslims alike for the Walk for Democracy took place.

Hence, what choice do we have as Christian Catholics in Penampang apart from being to be united again under the Parish of St Michael Penampang?

To be united in very loose definition means that we all need to come together as a cohesive group to show solidarity and support to our Parish. Yet, what good it is to say to a poor lady (who needs clothing or food), ‘God Bless You’ and walked off?. Similarly, our Parish needs more than our moral support from the contributions we give during the Collection time. As only those who have strong economic foundation coupled with sound reserve would be able to endure any hardship, oppression and discrimination.

Quoting a Muslim Malay cleric who issued a statement recently relating to the Thanksgiving Dinner issue, the whole thing happened due to the inability by those who were supposed to take care the welfare of our Muslim Malaysian brothers and sisters in that particular area. A Thanksgiving Dinner was being held and the poor Muslims within the vicinity were being invited and JAIS raided the Church. And the Church was being accused of trying to convert the Muslims. Does it make sense at all?

As long as those with sick minds who just love to pit the Muslim Malaysians with the non-Muslim Malaysians for political purpose are still in power, this type of issue will never stop.

(To be continued.. )