It is disheartening to discover that there is a subtle effort of late, to make it harder for Christians living in Malaysia.

This is another sign of a widening racial and religious divide under the BN government.

All lip service of 1Malaysia is merely that, lip service and glittering programmes.

From the curb of the Al-Kitab to the ban on the use of the word Allah; our Bahasa Malaysia speaking Christians are finding their freedom of worship narrowing.

Of late, it has also been revealed that the federal government has stopped issuing visas to internationals studying theology in our local Malaysian seminaries.

Many who come from Communist China, Myanmar, Indonesia, Korea and as far as India have found themselves stranded as their yearly visas are not renewed.

These students are not here to peddle drugs nor are they prostituting themselves but these foreign students are here to study theology so that they can go back to become ministers in their own churches.

The Immigration department have been instructed not to give anymore visas to these students.

I wonder how many foreign students are here in Malaysia studying Islam in our local colleges and universities. They have not been banned but instead encouraged.

I call on the government of Malaysia to stop this ridiculous effort to curtail the freedom of religion in Malaysia.

It is borne out of a fear of Christians and their faith. Demonising Christians and using them as punching bags in Malaysia is a futile exercise.

Christians in Malaysia have long contributed to the society of Malaysia through education in schools, mercy ministries like orphanages, old folks homes.

Christians often, at least once a year, fast and pray for the nation, her leaders and for peace to reign.

Surely this should not be seen as a threat to the sovereignity of Malaysia.

Let sense govern.