Former MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu today questioned whether the protest over the presence of a church and the cross symbol, which he described as irrational, could be rooted in overzealous interpretation of Islam by religious authorities.

 

Gan, who is also co-president of NGO Centre for Better Tomorrow , said he noticed authorities like the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and state religious authorities are turning to the right.

 

“This causes not only ordinary Muslims to veer towards the similar direction of radicalism and orthodoxy, but also results in anxiety among non-Muslims who then retreat further into their communal comfort zones.

 

“In a plural society, this causes division and strife,” he warned, using Jakim's guidelines on concerts to include gender segregation and banning any symbols against Islam as examples.

 

He said that while religious edicts or fatwa is non-binding on non-Muslims nor legally enforceable, its pronouncement can nonetheless have a far-reaching effect in every strata of society.

 

This, he cautioned, does not help in fostering an inclusive society which Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has advocated.

 

“In fact, it undermines the multiculturalism which is part of our social fabric since Independence.

 

“The protest in Taman Medan was wholly unnecessary and was yet another sign of growing intolerance sowed by religious dogma. In Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Penang, Johor Baru, you can find places of worship of different religions side-by-side or very near each other. The same goes for Jerusalem.

 

If the church in Taman Medan had flouted some by-laws, Gan said the local authorities should act swiftly.

 

If it involves a state policy or security issues on places of worship, it must be addressed accordingly.

Otherwise, Jakim and the respective state religious authorities nationwide should spend their resources on educating the public about values like compassion, peace and moderation that form the cornerstones of Islam.

 

“Worse, such unbecoming conduct, if uncensured, contravene the fundamental rights of non-Muslims as enshrined in our Federal Constitution. It doesn’t augur well for the Islamic faith when radical Muslims conduct a street protest over a religious symbol of a place of worship,” he said in a statement.

 

It was reported today that the church which is located on top of a shophouse does not possess any permit to be a place of worship.

 

'IGP's statement baffling'

 

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok meanwhile criticised inspector-general of police, Khalid Abu Bakar’s statement that the protest in Taman Medan, had nothing to do with religion, as baffling and unacceptable.

“How could it not be about religion when the protesters demanded that the cross be removed?” she asked.

She added since Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had openly contradicted the IGP, the top cop should not defend the indefensible and must take immediate action against the protesters.

 

Being, a multi-racial and multi-religious nation, Kok ( right ) said we should have mutual respect and tolerance, with one another.

 

Furthermore, Kok added freedom of religion is a constitutional right which is enshrined and protected all the time.

 

Premier Najib, the Seputeh MP said had talked much about moderation, and it is sad that there are incidents like this where the display of a cross is deemed sensitive in a majority Muslim neighbourhood.

 

“Anyone who has been to Jalan Tukang Emas and Jalan Tokong Melaka will see that Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple, Kg Kling Mosque and Cheng Hoon Teng temple are located not far from each other and there has been no issues at all,” she said

 

“It is heartening to see Malaysians, especially Muslim individuals and groups, speaking up against the intolerant behavior of the church protesters.”

She adding that more Malaysians should speak up and let the Taman Medan church know that they won’t be alone in defending their rights.