KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — Churches here pleaded with Putrajaya today to stop racial and religious bigotry and uphold the constitutional guarantee to religious freedom in Malaysia, claiming the country’s social fabric has been marred by “insensitive and illogical” statements by government leaders and governing political parties.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), an umbrella group representing churches nationwide, said in its statement for Merdeka and Malaysia Day that these so-called irresponsible remarks have forced Malaysians into pessimism and cynicism.

This is “not surprising”, CFM said in the statement, noting that the many challenges faced by Malaysians today have been compounded not just by unscrupulous leaders but also by economic policies that have added to fears over the rise of living costs.

“If we are to survive as a united nation, if we are to keep hope alive for our common future, we must all resist and oppose these destructive forces,” CFM said in the statement signed by its chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng and three vice-chairmen Bishop Emeritus Antony Selvanayagam, Archbishop Datuk Bolly Lapok and Rev Datuk Jerry Dusing.

“All who succumb to fear and despair eventually become enemies of hope.

“On the other hand, we must also avoid naïve and false optimism that comes from ignorance and indifference or an intentional act of sweeping important issues under the carpet,” they said.

Among others, the clergymen lamented over what they described as the “painful memory” of two recent incidents that had soured religious ties here — the seizure of bibles from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) earlier this year; and the refusal of the Federal Court to grant leave to the Catholic Church to appeal its right to use “Allah” in its weekly publication Herald.

They acknowledged that BSM’s consignment of holy books are still under lock and key, despite months of back and forth bickering between religious and government leaders here, while the outcome of several cases related to the use of “Allah” are still pending in the courts.

“We continue to be concerned,” the CFM leaders said.

In view of these transgressions, Malaysians should now press even harder for personal, interpersonal and institutional change to ensure their fundamental liberties are safeguarded and not trampled on, they said.

They urged Malaysians to support movements and groups that seek to unite the country and its diverse communities.

The church leaders also spoke of “genuine hope” for Malaysia’s future, which they said prescribes having the courage to take risks and the moral will to actively resist hateful and violent acts.

“Genuine hope”, they added, also sees a future in authentic dialogue, affirmation, humility and mutual respect for all matters concerning Malaysia’s multi-racial and multi-cultural communities.

“And so we call on all Malaysians to recommit themselves to a common collaboration to save Malaysia from the forces of bigotry, religious extremism and racial polarisation.

“Our prayers are lifted up for our nation’s leaders, our Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers, our Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet, Mentris Besar and Chief Ministers and their executive committee members, our elected representatives, the judiciary, the police and the armed forces that they will uphold with absolute integrity the freedom of religion guaranteed under our Federal Constitution and the responsibilities that have been entrusted to them for the common good,” the church leaders said.