DAP Youth leader condemns Bible course promoted near surau

Malacca DAP Youth chief Cassel Krishnan has condemned a group said to be promoting free Bible courses outside a surau in the state.

In a sternly worded statement today, he said all religious groups must refrain from actions that could be seen as provocative or disruptive to interfaith harmony in Malaysia.

“This group, appearing to be a small, irrelevant faction not native to Malacca, has blatantly disregarded our local sensitivities and the mutual respect that has always been the bedrock of our community,” he said.

The incident was said to have taken place last weekend in front of Surau Warisan in Bandar Hilir.

According to Free Malaysia Today, a 16-second video has been circulating online showing a small group standing near a book trolley with a sign saying “Free Bible Courses” near the surau.

The online portal also quoted Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism (MCCBCHST) president Tan Hoe Chieow saying the group’s actions were “very wrong”.

He reportedly urged the Christian community to help identify the group and the surau committee to lodge a police report.

Article 11 of the Federal Constitution states that every person has the freedom to practice and propagate his religion, subject to state and federal laws that control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine to Muslims.

Such laws - such as Malacca’s Control and Restriction of the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religions to Muslims Enactment 1988 - prohibit non-Muslims from proselytising to Muslims.

Other laws also restrict the propagation of Islamic beliefs considered deviant by the authorities.

Meanwhile, Cassel warned against exploiting the issue, especially by political parties.

“We cannot afford further escalation of this issue. What we need now are cooler heads and a collective effort to uphold harmony.

“I urge all Malaysians to pray for peace and to work together towards building an inclusive society that honours and respects all its members,” he said.

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