KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 — Malaysia’s umbrella Christian body today urged Putrajaya to disallow all future events like the “offensive” seminar held recently in Malacca on the alleged threat of Christian proselytisation.
The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) further said that government agencies like the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) should not participate in such activities, especially when they involve unproven claims.
“Should anyone wish to discuss this supposed threat of ‘Christianisation’, let it take place in the open, with participation from the national Christian community.
“Let the allegations be supported with proper research and concrete evidence, not wild anecdotes and unverified assertions,” CFM executive committee chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng said in a statement.
He was referring to the seminar called “Threat of Christianisation movement” held last Saturday at the Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Malacca campus.
The seminar was the second to be hosted by the university, after the “The word ‘Allah’ and Christology in the Malay Archipelago” seminar conducted at its Shah Alam campus.
Opposition lawmaker such as DAP’s Lim Kit Siang have called for the immediate sacking of Vice-Chancellor Tan Sri Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar following the news, calling him the worst example of a “Malaysian” for failing to uphold the spirit of the Rukunegara to promote inter-religious harmony.
Despite the outcry, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar yesterday defended the police officer who spoke at the seminar, arguing that no law had been broken.
Eu said, however, that it was unfortunate that PDRM had allowed itself to be dragged into the matter.
He also said that it was unacceptable for a public university to undertake activities that he said demonises a religious minority.
“This is highly offensive. No government should condone such activity, and we are appalled by the seeming irresponsible inaction on the part of the government of Malaysia in permitting this to have taken place,” he said.
“We call on the Government of Malaysia to put an end to the distasteful and disgusting derogatory activities of this nature.
“Instruments and agencies of the government, such as the PDRM, must refrain from participating and lending legitimacy to frivolous allegations and unsubstantiated claims,” he added.
