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Malacca Umno leaders fail 1Malaysia test
Published:  Mar 1, 2011 8:26 AM
Updated: 1:02 AM

vox populi small thumbnail 'I think Malacca Chief Minister Rustam Ali should seriously consider whether he is CM for BN or CM for Umno?'

Communal storm around Taoist-Hindu temple

Dood: "You know how these people are, they tie a red and yellow cloth somewhere and it becomes their deity." So says the Umno Simpang Kerayong division head Hasnol Abu Wahab. That's a pretty ignorant and arrogant statement.

One wonders how he would take it if other people start complaining about how mosques are too close to people's homes and that they blast their prayers too loudly and disturb their children's sleep, and say equally ignorant things like, "You know how these people are, you make them angry then they will go amok and kill you and your family while shouting out the greatness of their god."

Swipenter: Azan broadcasting over the loudspeakers early every morning are not disturbing to people's sleep. But hand ringing of temple bell does?

Traffic congestion created every Friday in roads and areas around mosques by those parking haphazardly is okay, but traffic congestion caused by occasional festivals of temples are a pain in the neck?

Churches and temples located in shoplots and next to monsoon drains are okay. These houses of worship should not look like churches or temples, and preferably shielded from the eyes of non-adherents?

Argonist: This must be the first time I read that temples have put up BN flags 'proudly' and the committee says they do not want to politicise the issue.

Malaysians have become so cowed by the might of Umno that they are willing to lose any or all their dignity just to get what they want in life, in this case, to win the 'expansion of temple' battle. I salute the Malaysians for their very 'humble' compromising attitude towards Umno.

Ashoka: In every housing estate, there has to be a surau or mosque for the community. But when it comes to temples, as in the cow-head issue temple, they are relocated to an industrial area. Who lives in an industrial area? There are only factories there. People live in housing estates. I am sure they will do the same in this case.

They don't want neighbours who are religious and good. Fine, no need for temples in the housing areas. But if Indians become gangsters and rob and murder you, serve your right.

I am a Muslim and I would prefer my Indian neighbours to be religious as all religions only teaches good. And if they don't have any temples nearby to make them good, serve you right if they rob and murder you.

Alan Goh: Five families living 1.5km away complain of the sound of bells and smell of incense? This is a most silly excuse not to approve the expansion of the 40-year-old temple when residents in the Klang Valley, some having mosques located behind their house, have been understanding and tolerant of their Muslim friends' morning prayers.

Gg: As I read the story, the sound from a mosque located in a former children's playground is filling my whole house for the last 30 minutes. We are waiting patiently for it to end so that our family can pray together, chanting mantras and singing.

Maybe, the village development safety committee and the five families do not want to go through what I face everyday.

Siva_3512: "If I approve the temple, then Umno members people will say the chief minister supports Chinese and Indians and won't vote for BN. But if I don't, then DAP will attack me," says Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam.

So he has to act based on his continued survival rather than fundamental principles?

4th Generation Pendatang: I think the CM should seriously consider if he is a CM for BN or CM for Umno? If the few unhappy Umno guys is capable of blackmailing the CM into submission for fear of that minority group (albeit Umno members), then truly apartheid rules in Malaysia. He is suppose to act in the interest of the majority of the rakyat (including right-thinking Malays) otherwise MCA and MIC, please wake up and make a stand.

Malaysiawatch4.blogspot: This is a blatant form of religious discrimination where the position of Islam as the official religion has been transformed to depriving other Malaysians the freedom to practise religion. Unfortunately, the authorities have not done much to promote religious harmony. We should inform the UN Committee on Human Rights of this subtle form of religious persecution.

Dark Knight: We live in a country where land is unquestioningly alienated for mosques that are subsequently built, most often, with taxpayers' money. The justifiable grievances of non-Muslims are, amongst others, the lack of financial and locational support for temples and churches, a sore point when Muslims do not contribute much to the Treasury because of the zakat system.

Non-Muslims have legitimate aspirations, and one can find temples and churches throughout Malaysia despite lack of institutional support. (This reflects the spirit of a people who overcome the odds through sheer determination and perseverance).

However, (with due respect to genuine temples and the basic necessity to serve growing communal needs) some unscrupulous people build temples on unowned lands and are not registered as required by law. Where do we place such self-serving cheats who prey on religious sentiments, yet cry when confronted by the authorities?

Reformasi: If I lived in that place, I'd ring the bell as loud as I can. Rukunegara yang pertama ialah kepercayaan kepada Tuhan. Everyone has the right to worship at their own way.

Do ringing bells disturb the children sleep? But they sound the azan five times a day without any control. Azans don't disturb non-Muslim children in their sleep?

DAP stage torched, arson suspected

Anonymous_1d56: The party will not be lodging a police report as they believe that the police will not take any action against the perpetrator? What a lame excuse. Is this what Pakatan Rakyat is encouraging? Or could it be that their plan to gather sympathy votes might backfire if the police investigates thoroughly?

Disgusted: BN said they are not worried about Pakatan's strength in Merlimau and say they will win easily, then why are they scared and need to resort to such cheap underhand tactics if they are confident?

As for Anonymous 1d56, Pakatan is not looking for sympathy votes. Facts are facts. Do you think the police will really act and catch the people responsible for the alleged arson? You must be kidding.

For a Better Malaysia: The police are free to investigate as much as they want. However, if crime and deaths happening in police stations, which even the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) can't be solved, what chance is there here?

I hope the DAP will leave it as symbol of what difficulty they have to go through just to ensure a strong opposition, leading to a better Malaysia with more check and balances.

Alan Goh: If the police want, they can be very efficient as proven in the Sodomy II case. Even two bulu, they can produce as evidence, so just report the arson to the police and let them work on it. Who knows what might turn up?

 


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