YOURSAY ‘If he did not intend to do that, then there is no sincerity.’

The Herald 'asked' to stop articles on 'Allah' issue

Abasir: Let's get this this clear - an Umno-controlled ministry is selectively advising the church not to publicly discuss a problem created and periodically stoked by Umno.

The advice is restricted to the church and does not include Umno, Perkasa, retired 'judges', the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais), the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais), the National Civics Bureau (BTN), etc.

Those exempted are in fact licensed to make incendiary speeches in mosques on Fridays, write rubbish in the ‘ketuanan’ media, put up banners outside churches and even lob a Molotov cocktail or two.

Has the ministry ever publicly 'advised' Utusan Malaysia or Perkasa? No? Oh, I forgot. This is 1Malaysia with a most unique Global Movement of Moderates, which is unable to move when required.

Yap Cs: So not only are you deprived of the right to practice your religion, now you are also not to discuss about your loss of that right. This must be a first in the world. Malaysia Boleh.

Kangkung: Now Umno wants to censor The Herald , a Catholic weekly, which is published only for members of the church.

Is Umno trying to have censorship like what was done during Nazi Germany by the minister of propaganda?

Anonymous_4056: Umno, which is the one who mobilised the Muslim NGOs and instigated the Felda and kampong Malays to create the tension, is now telling The Herald not to publish articles on the ‘Allah’ issue.

Umno is now blaming others like The Herald and Malaysiakini of creating tension. Just imagine how evil they can be.

This is a country ruined by Umno politicising the ‘Allah’ issue. Almighty God will ever judge Umno harshly for disturbing the peace and harmony of this nation.

FellowMalaysian: It may be just a request but its intent is obvious. This appears as an outright ‘kiasu’ course of action with the impending court case next month.

I still do not understand why the government is going after The Herald on a purely religious issue rather than Jais, Mais or Jakim?

Multi Racial: Since the minister’s advice is in the interest of safety, I would like to know which other organisations the home minister has issued the same advice. If it is just The Herald, then this itself will fuel more problems.

If the home minister is sincere, his advice should include all parties such as Perkasa, Isma, other NGOs and the media, telling them to refrain from broadcasting any article that could undermine our multiracial and multireligious society.

If he did not intend to do that, then there is no sincerity. This is the main cause of the problem - weak and biased leaders.

Watch Out: It is time for The Herald to be also seen as doing the right thing to ease the tension. Since the ministry has used a soft approach, it is not wrong for The Herald to comply for the time being.

Remember the good old days when it was not a forbidden word until matters were blown up by the media?

Fair&Just: God bless The Herald editor Father Lawrence Andrew. He has said that they had not used the ‘A’ word for seven years and yet all these confrontations, intimidation and harassment abounds.

Yes, it is time to settle the matter of oppression, suppression, deprivation, degradation and discrimination once and for all.

Let the government decide the most appropriate ways to settle these issues and not sweep them under the carpet.

JMC: In the interests of "public safety" and "harmony" both parties should refrain from doing anything to aggravate the situation further.

Since The Herald has taken the matter to our courts for justice which they know they will not get, it has to now abide by the Appeals Court ruling to refrain from using ‘Allah’ in its publications.

At the same time, the Home Ministry should also stop all parties, Perkasa, Utusan , etc, from provoking the Christians further with their uncalled-for insults.

Fernz: The Herald should write to the home minister to thank him for his advice and tell him that, in future, if they need his advice they will first ask him for it.

Tan Kim Keong: Since it was the Home Ministry which started this problem and which was perpetuated by the prime minister with the appeal after the High Court ruling, why not acknowledge this gross abuse of power and injustice before even sending this 'request'.

Well Thats Fantastic: This is a bit like telling a rape victim to be quiet because they might disturb the neighbours.

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