World’s tallest Mazu statue in Kudat – call for RCI on misgovernance by all 3 tiers of government


I welcome the statement by the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday expressing the government’s hope that former Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat will settle the Mazu status issue amicably without going to court.

He said the government is hoping to bring the Mazu statue issue back to the negotiation table instead of going through the court.

I support Najib’s proposal for an amicable settlement of the proposal to build the world’s tallest Mazu statue in Kudat.

It is important however for Najib to understand that the principles and issues involved in the Mazu statue controversy do not just concern Chong as one person, but have become a major public issue of national and even international importance involving not just three million Sabahans but also 26 million Malaysians

I am glad that immediately after my visit to Kudat to visit the site of the Mazu statue, there is now the possibility of a new development.

The Mazu statue controversy should not only be resolved at the negotiation table, I will go even one step further and call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the mishandling and lack of good governance in all three tiers of local, state and federal government resulting in the Kudat Mazu statue controversy undermining nation-building and inter-religiousl understanding as well as turning Malaysia into an international laughing-stock.

I have just returned from a three-day visit to Kota Kinabalu, Kudat and Sandakan including a 500-km land journey from Kota Kinabalu through Kota Belud to Kudat and onwards to Sandakan through Marudu, with the Kudat-Sandakan journey taking eight hours through some very treacherous stretches (with 25 km of unsealed portion of the Paitan highway after the Nango junction).

Yesterday morning, together with DAP National Publicity Secretary and MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok, Kota Kinabalu DAP Branch Chairman Hiew King Cheu, Tawau DAP Branch Chairman Jimmy Wong and Karambunai DAP Branch Chairman Pastor Jeffrey Kumin I visited the site of the Mazu statute (where over a million ringgit had been spent to complete the statue platform) for a first-hand understanding of the controversy over the proposal to build the world’s tallest Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) in Kudat to enhance the international tourism competitiveness of Kudat, Sabah and Malaysia.

A lot of things happened in the two years between 12th December 2005 when a ground-breaking ceremony for the project for the world’s tallest Mazu statue was held and 12th December 2007 when Chong instituted legal proceedings against the Kudat Town Board (KTB) and the Sabah state government for stopping the project, as evident from the following chronology of events:

12th December 2005 – ground-breaking ceremony for the world’s tallest Mazu statue after approval of site layout and building plans for the project.

8th February 2006 – the Kudat Town Board (KTB) issued a letter of approval valid for two years for the construction of the Mazu statue.

Works on the project commenced, including piling and construction of a 20 feet platform which was completed five months later at a cost of RM1 million.

Orders were placed for granite carvings of the statue by craftsmen from China and the granite carvings had been shipped from China and are now stored in a containers in Kota Kinabalu.
The Immigration Department had also given approval for visas to be issued to 11 craftsmen from China to assemble the granite carvings of the statue.

May 25, 2006, KTB, acting on the directive of the Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister, ordered the temporary suspension of the work project pending further directive from the Chief Minister.

June 6, 2006, the Sabah Local Government and Housing Ministry issued a written directive to KTB to order suspension of works on the project pending approval from the Chief Minister.

June 23, 2006, the State Secretary issued a letter to the KTB stating that the government had, after considering all the circumstances, decided that works on the project should stop immediately.

July 7, 2006, the Mufti of Sabah issued a Fatwa (religious decree) advising that the construction of the statue would offend Islam and ordered that the construction be stopped in order to protect the sensitivities of Muslims.

Nov. 15, 2007, KTB withdrew the approval granted by their letter of Feb. 8, 2006, giving reason that the site layout plan and building plans had not been approved by the second respondent by reason of non-compliance with Section 15 of the Town and Country Planning Ordinance.

December 12, 2007 – Chong Kah Keat institutes legal proceedings against KTB and Sabah State Government for stopping the work project, seeking declarations from the Kota Kinabalu High Court, inter alia,

1. that the letter of withdrawal of approval dated Nov. 15, 2007 by KTB be revoked, set aside and declared null and void;

2. that the letter of approval dated Feb. 8, 2006 be confirmed as valid and binding on all parties concerned;

3. compensation for loss suffered by project proponents.
The reasons which had been given so far do not stand up to any scrutiny. For instance, the argument that the Mazu statue is close to the Asy-Syarikin Mosque in Kudat collapses on close examination.

This is because the statue would be about 2,400 ft from the mosque, whereas there is another temple, the Fu Tik Temple which is just opposite the mosque across the road in the town cent re or about 100 ft away.

The Fu Tik Temple was built as far back as 1941 or some 66 years ago and was there when the Asy-Syarikin Mosque was built in the 80s. If the Asy-Syarikin Mosque had no objection to being so close to the Fu Tik Temple, the oldest temple of the Hokkien community in Kudat, and build it in the 80s about 100 ft away, why should there be any objection to the building of the Mazu statue which is about 2,400 ft away?

There are many places of worship of different faiths in the country which are next to one another and even share the use of common passages or spaces, for instance a temple and a mosque in Kuching which one above another while in Miri there is a church and a mosque next to each other sharing the use of common passageways.

In ancient times in the Middle East, Muslims, Christians and followers of other faiths share the same premises for their religious worship. Why are we not learning the best cultural, religious and civilisational practices in the history of mankind but want to blaze out a new path of extremism and intolerance in mutli-religious Malaysia which is also against the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion?

I understand that the Muslims in Kudat do not have any objection to the building of the world’s tallest Muza statue as they know its great tourism potential in kick-starting the economy in Kudat, which is the poorest in Sabah and therefore in Malaysia.

The insensitive controversy objecting to the building of the Mazu statue is created by a small group of Muslims outside Kudat with ulterior personal and political objectives, which set a dangerous precedent in undermining inter-religious understanding, goodwill and co-existence not only in Sabah state but in Malaysia as well.

The other objection that the construction of any statue or replica of a living thing, either human or animistic, is haram and should not be allowed – which is the fatwa of the Mufti Sabah – is even more subversive of the multi-religious foundation of Malaysia.

Imagine the horrendous consequences if such a fatwa is accepted in Malaysia and implemented throughout the country?

The protracted controversy of the Kudat Mazu statue for the past 18 months, resulting in the highly-principled protest resignation of Chong Kah Kiat as Sabah Deputy Chief Minister is a reflection of mishandling, total insensitivity and lack of good governance in all three tiers of local, state and federal government resulting in the Kudat Mazu statue controversy undermining nation-building, inter-religiousl understanding and turning Malaysia an international laughing-stock.

There are two things which Najib should do immediately:

• Firstly, remove all the man-made and politically-motivated obstacles to the construction of the world’s tallest Mazu statue in Kudat; and

• Secondly, get the Federal Cabinet to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the mishandling, insensitivity and lack of good governance in all three tiers of governance, local, state and federal government, resulting in the protracted and divisive Mazu statue controversy so that Malaysia could be spared in future of such misgovernance which could only undermine nation-building, inter-religious understanding and make Malaysia into an international laughing-stock.

  1. #1 by michgyver on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 2:41 pm

    “The other objection that the construction of any statue or replica of a living thing, either human or animistic, is haram and should not be allowed – which is the fatwa of the Mufti Sabah – is even more subversive of the multi-religious foundation of Malaysia”

    Then ask the govenment removed “TUGU NEGARA”

  2. #2 by cheng on soo on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 2:43 pm

    Sandiwara! if can hv hugh Indian statue at Batu Caves, Buddha statues in Kelantan n Penang (indoor), why not Mazu statue, Kudat local govt is real nut, cari pasal sahaja.
    So now, some body be the good guy, after the aggravated party went to Court!

  3. #3 by cheng on soo on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 2:48 pm

    Yes, may be TUGU NEGARA is also haram. and old RM1 note shall be recalled n destroyed. n all books, literature,video, pictures etc on TUGU NEGARA shall also be banned.

  4. #4 by Taikor on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 3:21 pm

    Election time is approaching so the Sabahans have got to be quick if they want to gain anything from this. They must achieve something ‘concrete’ before the grace period is over.

    From the economic point of view, by having a world’s tallest Mazu facing the seas in Sabah, it would become a tourist attraction for the locals. Therefore, the move should be supported. I don’t see why it would offend the people when it would benefit them. Maybe it’s the cleric himself who are sensitive; not the local people.

  5. #5 by lakshy on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 3:33 pm

    Chong has done the right thing in taking the Sabah State Govt and Kudat Town Board to court over the matter. If he hadn’t done so, there would be no talk of an arbitration to look for a settlement to the issue.

    Chong already quit as DCM over this issue and bn said it was no major loss. And nothing was done in the interim to resolve the issue. So good, take them to court, and let them work on a settlement in parallel so tat the court case can be withdrawn after settlement ahs been reached.

    Look at the Hindraf issue, despite hundreds of letters being sent, nothing has been done. So when a public rally is called to show the extent of the discontent, the umno machinery uses brute force on a peaceful crowd. And now the leaders are detained under the ISA.

    And bn and umno will say that know what is best for the masses.

  6. #6 by Tickler on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 3:35 pm

    Does that mean the police report against the Mufti of Sabah on his fatwa that statues are haram will also be settled `amicably`?
    So how do police settle things `amicably`?

  7. #7 by Tickler on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 3:46 pm

    And while the Foreign Minister takes lessons from Pakistan, the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore will also be learning:

    A Singaporean activist, Seelan Palay, will be fasting without food for five days starting 9am 31st Dec (tomorrow) outside the Malaysian High Commission regarding the ISA detention of the Hindraf leaders.

    STATEMENT

    I, Seelan Palay, am going to undertake fasting in my personal capacity for a period of 5 days

    http://rockinsince86.com/2007/12/30/hunger-strike-5-brothers/

  8. #8 by Jeffrey on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 3:47 pm

    Yes, Najib’s statement when launching the Tuaran Tamu Besar – “I could hear the azan prayers from a mosque nearby. To my right, across the road, is a church and beside it a pagoda. This is a reflection of religious tolerance practised in this country for so long…” – shows that he is giving the conciliatory signal to bring Mazu statue project in Kudat back to the negotiating table. In the wake of the Hindraf’s demonstrations and in line with the unconditional renewal of the publication license for Herald, there are some signs that the practical concerns seem to be seeping into the top leadership’s minds the importance of maintaining some semblance of religious tolerance not just to preempt the protest votes of non mulims in the coming General Election outcome but for the very survival of a multiracial society like ours and the necessity to keep in check the initiatives of some of the more overzealous religious bureaucrats and officials, ubiquitous throughout an administration which has been actively infusing Islamic values.

  9. #9 by ktteokt on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 3:52 pm

    What freedom of religion is the BN government promoting then???

  10. #10 by oknyua on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 3:54 pm

    YB Lim, I can hear Musa Aman’s rhetoric: “The DAP and PKR are using Ma Zhu to gain political support. I don’t understand why Lim Kit Siang and Theresa Kok should bother to come to Kudat. These KL people are causing us a lot of trouble. We in Sabah are living peacefully with each other.”

    His Christmas message was: ‘In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said Malaysians would emerge stronger and more united despite attempts by certain groups to undermine racial harmony.’ The Star 25th December. He forgot to add who actually undermined racial harmony. Was it Chong KK, Jeffrey Katinggan, Lim Kit Siang, Anwar Ibrahim? Or was it Musa Aman?

    AAB’s message was better: “If moderation does not take centre stage, we will all be dragged into extremism, from the basis of religion, race or groups.” Then he said: “This is what we should look out for, this is what gives us problems. This is our responsibility that we have to carry out diligently, so that our country will become a peaceful country. I’m aware of religious issues that happen from time to time and we should solve these problems with a very high level of understanding, tolerance and respect,” he said. (Star 27th Dec.)

    I could have easily kissed AAB’s cheeks for such beautiful words. But hollow man, absolutely hollow cheap words. Let’s see what he would do to Pastor Jerry’s court case on the 16th January 2008.

  11. #11 by lakshy on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 4:03 pm

    oknyua,

    AAB means that everyone else must show moderation and understanding and tolerance and respect for the Islamisation of Malaysia. And if you cant hack it, then shove it buster, you can shut up, balik kampung or else we have the ISA for you and your like.

  12. #12 by iweepformalaysia on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 4:06 pm

    Everything happens in this country, Malaysia, for a reason. And whatever thing that happens, there is a group of staff working behind it. The group of staff is called the production team, comprises of script writer, producer, director, actors and technical support units.

    So as usual, a story must have the bad guys and good guys. If there is no bad guys, who the hell will be the good ones?

    It’s just a “sandiwara”. Might even call it a soap opera. BN has plenty of good actors. Something like…

    “Here i come to save the day…”

  13. #13 by Cinapek on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 4:09 pm

    “…I support Najib’s proposal for an amicable settlement of the proposal to build the world’s tallest Mazu statue in Kudat.”

    and,

    “We do not want confrontation,” said Najib in an apparent reference to the controversial stop-work order on the Mazu statue project in Sabah’s northern Kudat and the recent Hindraf protest over the demolition of a temple in Shah Alam.”

    We do support the proposal for an amicable settlement and do not want confrontation. But dear Najib, I am sure Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat must have exhausted all his options and only resorted to the courts as a last resort. For his sacrifices when he resigned on a matter of principle as Deputy Chief Minister, he was brushed off as of no consequence by the PM. I believed he also met the PM not too long ago but again nothing happened. So what else you expect the man to do? In my opinion, by taking the matter to court he is trying to settle this matter very amicably given the brush off he had faced thus far. I could think of worse.

    I believe this problem started as a personal grudge at state level and allowed to escalate to this level because the Federal leadership, who could have nipped it in the bud, lacked the will and is too cowardly to deal with the matter justly and firmly. They must have decided Chong is expendable (going by the PM’s comments) and would rather support Musa whom they believe is more useful to UMNO and BN hence the reluctance to do what is right to support Chong. It is plainly ridiculous and smacks of abuse of power when the approval that was given was withdrawn. To make matters even more ridiculous, flimsy excuses were later cooked up after the withdrawal to justify their evil intentions.

    Najib, fyi, rational men do not take to the streets asking for their skulls to be cracked open or chemical laced water sprayed into their eyes or risk being detained and beaten by the police or have to take a case such as these to court if there were genuine and sincere responses from the Govt to settle these grievances amicably. In the first place, it was the Little Napoleons who deliberately provoke the non Malays/non Muslims by demolishing their temples or withdrawing printing permits of their newletters by shifting the goalpost on the publishing rules. And despite all attempts to settle amicably, they were rejected until the victims had no choice but to take a confrontational stance.

  14. #14 by sec on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 4:11 pm

    No action being taken against the Multi of Sabah; this government is biased ; take side of Muslim only. How AAB claimed to be the All Malaysian PM. Sooner malaysia will become another Palestine

  15. #15 by iweepformalaysia on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 4:14 pm

    No, not palestine. It’s old aparthetic South Africa which governed according to skin colour.

  16. #16 by oknyua on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 4:30 pm

    “Here i come to save the day…” iweepformalaysia.

    You noticed that too! It thought it was strange that our AAB was in Sabah recently and he DID NOT comment on Ma Zhu and now comes the hero… Or is it something going on inside UMNO?

  17. #17 by Libra2 on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 4:49 pm

    BEWARE!!!!!
    Election is near. First they create the problems and then go about solving them as though suddenly they are so considerate about other religious sensitivities and rights.
    After the elections, there will be another stop work order on the Mazu statue, Herald printing permit will be revoked and the banned Christian books will be confiscated.
    Just you wait. Chinese and Tamil school will be promised million in grants.
    They will promise to build one million low cost houses for the poor so that even the jobless will be given loans.

  18. #18 by max2811 on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 4:53 pm

    There wasn’t any problem when the idea was mooted and implemented. It only happened when an UMNaziO CM took power. These bigots should never be in power. They are the source of all problems in Msia. They are too stupid to anticipate that the country would be like Pakistan down the road. The scenario could be worse. Aren’t there anyone else or party in Msia that can run the country better? Happy New Year to all.

  19. #19 by Tickler on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 5:10 pm

    While UMNO/BN do the sandiwara and the puppeteers trumpet:

    Monday, December 31, 2007
    Ford Motor bails on Malaysia

    The writing was on the wall in early December when the director of Ford ASEAN discussed the company’s problems with Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy (NAP). I pointed out these problems on December 26, and now on December 29th we see the truth has been told and Ford has sold all its equity in Malaysia to the GLC Sime Darby. The Star’s article is nuanced such that the average reader would think this was business as usual, but reality is far harsher than the nuanced language of a government-dominated MSM newspaper. Perhaps this is small news and thus Malaysiakini and Malaysia-Today failed to pick-up on it, but the truth is the truth and foreign businesses are having a hard time in Malaysia. Ford Motor is yet one more indicator of things to come unless we truly begin to act like a developed nation. Who will be next?
    http://malaysiamind.blogspot.com/2007/12/ford-motor-bails-on-malaysia.html

  20. #20 by undergrad2 on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 6:49 pm

    All things considered, the solution to the ‘Indian problem’ is best expressed by a member of the legal fraternity who is not Indian but have lots of Indians he calls his friends both in MIC and UMNO.

    “To scatter to minor parties, such as MIUP or the likes, or even to under-represented opposition parties such as DAP or PKR, only dilutes the voice of Indians in Malaysia.”

    “Indians should clean up MIC. They should act on their dissatisfaction with Samy and boot him out. They should reform the party to address the needs of the greater Indian community and eliminate those party leaders who have done little else than enrich themselves on the backs of poor Indians. Take an active stance against corruption in your own party. Unseat the greedy. Purge the party of its excess baggage. Then unite as an Indian community.

    http://malaysiamind.blogspot.com/2007/12/ford-motor-bails-on-malaysia.html

    “As long as race-based parties must exist in the country, speak with one voice– just not Samy’s voice– his is little more than a broken record.”

  21. #21 by mata_kucing on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 6:57 pm

    Don’t blame the mufti of Sabah. Like all the kaki bodek and those who depend on the BN for their livehood, he only echoes his political master’s voice. Any idiot would know that. Be assured that his datukship or whatever fancy title he so desired, proposed by Musa Aman of course, is on the way.

  22. #22 by observer on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 8:54 pm

    Once Religion is dragged into our Government, all those extreme views of the so call learned Religious officer will destroyed the goodwill amongst various races..The worst thing to happened in Malaysia is that what they said is from the voices of God and cannot be challenged, Umno politician will try to manipulate for his/her own gains.. for Malaysia to be peaceful once more, RELIGION should not be incorporated into our Government. .. This will leave less differences amongst all the various faiths in our bolehland…. The only problem is we don’t have any leader who can subscribe to this view..

  23. #23 by ktteokt on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 9:17 pm

    Sorry observer, AAB has already made it very clear that MALAYSIA IS AN ISLAMIC STATE! – (governed by non-Muslims)

  24. #24 by justice_fighter on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 9:17 pm

    Dear YM Lim,

    Sorry, off topic but urgent!!

    Try check with SPR:
    http://daftarj.spr.gov.my/daftarbi.asp

    Check the following IC numbers, asked urself, how come these under-age ICs appear on SPR’s database? Is this for real?

    IC: 991214740101
    IC: 910815750017
    IC: 981231081137

  25. #25 by hiro on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 10:16 pm

    What this case represents is another piece of evidence that this country is severely lacking in rule of law. We don’t need, should not have required political intervention to settle matters like this if the authorities respect the Constitution and the laws and implement them fairly and equitably.

    The relevant community in Sabah should not need to be beholden to the Deputy Prime Minister (in the event the matter is resolved) when we could have, and ought to have been protected by law, enforced justly through the Courts.

    Clearly, UMNO is getting out of hand, with each warlords trying to score electoral points by appealing to the racial and religious chauvinism of the voters, and seems like through the Courts as well.

    A leader should inspire people to be their best, not their worst. It will do the nation good to rid of these people in the coming polls.

  26. #26 by year of snake on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 10:30 pm

    I thought there were only Talibans in Afghanistan, looks like I am wrong!

  27. #27 by winterman05 on Monday, 31 December 2007 - 11:20 pm

    Religious tolerance and religious respect will generate religious harmony in any multi-religious nation. We have witnessed riots in countries where religious intolerance by some insensitive leaders who showed no respect for faiths other than their own. We must not allow this religious intolerance to take root here. It is of paramount importance that there is MUTUAL respect on religious matters. Now is the time for leaders to be courageous and rein in recalcitarnt forces and put them away.

    We must not play with religious fire , lest we get scorched by it.

  28. #28 by malaysiatoday.com on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 12:07 am

    Haram is applied to Muslims only, while in Buddhism “patung” is absolutely “halal”. What is the fuss of erecting a Mazu statue for their followers?

    Kelantan with 95% Muslims can accept a biggest sitting buddha statue in their backyard, why Sabah with less than 30% Muslims are concerned with a “patung”?

    UMNO ulamaks are also selective blinded to “haram” structure built by the government.

    Malaka state government removed a few sang kancil statues in roundabout after a fatwa issued said it was unislamic. But ironically the giant helang statue in Langkawi is halal.

    Penang Kek-Low temple’s goddess statue is prohibited to be taller than than minaret of state mosque.

    Pak lah, religious extremists are not just from “hindraf” as UMNO propagated, they are a bunch of UMNO appointed ulamaks are extreme as Talibans.

  29. #29 by somaris on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 1:18 am

    to all indian,
    Its time for u to throw samy velu out.get a good leader that can help all indian.get someone who fight for indian not for bn,umno.ur vote will help all indian.there is so many good indian for all indian.
    Go all out to tell all indian to vote for DAP,PKR, No more BN MIC.UMNO.
    NOW the GE is coming so belived me all the BN,MIC will come down with money for school.temple, thats for short while.as Anwar say take the money than vote DAP,PKR.go all out all indian.
    god bless u all indian.for our children future.we must fight for better malaysian.

  30. #30 by somaris on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 1:22 am

    HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008
    FOR BETTER MALAYSIA.
    VOTE DAP ,PKR.
    WE NEED CHANGE FOR BETTER MALAYSIAN.
    MERDERKA,MERDERKA,MERDEKA

  31. #31 by kanthanboy on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 8:19 am

    The BN Government has announced 2 positive things in the final last two days of 2007. They are the unconditional renewal of the publication license for Herald and the government’s hope to settle the Mazu status issue amicably without going to court.

    Can this be a genuine change of heart or just an election ploy? I ask Malaysian to check the records of BN on promises made before a general election and subsequent actions taken after the GE.

    Before the 1999 GE the Suqui election appeals were endorsed by UMNO and BN. After the 1999 the former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathier branded the Suqui movement as communists. This was followed by UMNO Youth demonstration and threat to burn down the Chinese Assembly Hall.

    If approval that was given for the construction of the Mazu can be withdrawn, the Herald printing permit can be also revoked when the GE is over.

    At the present time the BN Government is not so confident to face court challenges over the Herald and the Mazu cases because CJ Fairuz is no more the Chief Justice. However, when Tan Sri Zaki become the next CJ in October 2008, for those who wish to challenge the government in court, the BN Government will gladly declare, bring them on!

    I wish to be proven wrong for my speculation but that will only happen if BN lost its two third majority.

  32. #32 by cheng on soo on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 8:55 am

    There is also a big tortoise statue in Trengganu. Is this haram?

  33. #33 by grace on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 9:36 am

    Aiya, why the fuss? VOTE OPPOSITION LIKE THE DAP ! It is DAP which will champion the people’s right.
    Look at Kelantan where PAS is the government. Kelantan houses the largest Budha statue. No complains from the Muslims there. Nik Aziz did not pass a fatwa making it haram. In fact the Muslims in Kelantan are better informed than the BN .They respect the rights of non-muslims.

  34. #34 by oknyua on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 11:09 am

    Grace, is it “Muslims-against-others” or is it plain arrogance and greed?

    The “fatwa” mufti will get hs datukship (if he hadn’t one yet) and soon a promotion into something else.. i don’t know, maybe Musa Aman personal imam. All of these had nothing to do with “Muslim-against-others.”

    You talk to a PAS ustaz, or tok’ guru and you’ll have some very enlightening discussions. I do that very often. UMNO ustaz, on the other hand, won’t even look at your face. He is busy rubbing shoulders with the dignitaries that come to pray. Why the same religion, same title but different practice? Answer: arrogance.

  35. #35 by oknyua on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 11:20 am

    M Bakri Musa termed them as “sombong si bodoh.” Refer to Tinpot Tyrant.

  36. #36 by shaolin on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 12:00 pm

    Libra2 is RIGHT. BEWARE of GE gimmicks…!!

    First BN created the issues. Then Najib becomes the
    Good Samaritan to solve the people’s MAZU issue at
    Kudat. Later people will say BN is a Good Party…!

    The BN people are on stage and performing the Act
    and be dramatic to Mazu issue…!!

    Please do not fall into their trap and become Victims!!!

  37. #37 by Rocky on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 12:23 pm

    “I could hear the azan prayers from a mosque nearby. To my right, across the road, is a church and beside it a pagoda. This is a reflection of religious tolerance practised in this country for so long…” Najib.

    so Najib when was the church and pagoda built. and the mosques. All this was never an issue before in the 60,70,80s.Only in the last few years things have become sensitive and all cos of a few overzealous muslims in power who want they brand of religious tolerance in Malaysia. They have become louder and bolder as the govt has let them do what they want while the non muslims loose their rights in the constitutions. and even bumiputras in Sabah and Sarawak are loosing their rights!!!

    so Najib all he talk of religious tolerance was before. Now there is a rule of no temples etc near mosque. why are the few muslims fo insecure and making decisions for other muslims. Maybe this is Islam Hadhari rules?

  38. #38 by iweepformalaysia on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 1:32 pm

    Islam Hadhari to me is just something heresy. It is nothing different from radical/extremist Islamic teaching. It is definitely nothing different from Al-Qaeda. The packaging is the trick.

    If he wants to be worshipped as Allah, let him be. I hope you people know who is “he”.

  39. #39 by toyolbuster on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 1:59 pm

    The people of Sabah got conned by UMNO when they were being persuaded to allow for the rotation system of their CM position. Now, its UMNO who has the perpetual right to appoint their own as CM to rule over Sabah, even denying Sabahan of their religious rights. Indeed, it is appropriate to call them Pirates of the Carry BN.

  40. #40 by ihavesomethingtosay on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 1:59 pm

    If only Ms Altantuya would settle out of court!

  41. #41 by best4rakyat on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 2:45 pm

    This issue is a matter of tolerance and should not be too rigid! We must live to understand one another. So you and many genuine leaders are positive!

  42. #42 by vehir on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 4:53 pm

    I was reading the daily express paper of Sabah today. Please read and find out to what extend Chong has journeyed to make the statue stay put.

    Now Najib is coming and telling can negotiate.

    NAJIB FULLY AWARE I EXHAUSTED ALL MEANS:-CHONG

    http://www.dailyexpress.com.my

  43. #43 by iweepformalaysia on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 5:18 pm

    Oh ya, what in the world happened to Altantuya’s case? Hearing adjourned? The judges on holidays?

  44. #44 by grace on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 7:29 pm

    All the time, PM ask us to be tolerant to one another. Be sensitive to one’s belief.
    I believe the Non-Muslims are very understanding in this aspect.
    When a surau or mosque is built in predominantly non-muslim area, no one protested. We accept it. Simillarly in school assembly on special occasion for visiting VIPs, a doa selamat is recited for the muslim while others remain silent. Didn’t the mufti decree that it is sensitive ti non-muslims?
    Just building a statue, also is sensitive to muslims! Are you sure? It is the few ill-informed muslims who protest. Majority of them are like the non-muslim friends who could not care less as long as we have peace

  45. #45 by chiakchua on Tuesday, 1 January 2008 - 9:42 pm

    It is another UMNO’s IRS tactic to con votes from the ignorant non-Malays. The IRS is
    I – INFRINGE some of the non-Malays’ right such as the MAZU case. If the protest is weak, they win and boast themselves as the Malay or Muslims’ champion! If the protest is fierce, they will move to next move;
    R – RESOLVE the issue. Citing the importance of peace, harmony, inter-racial tolerance, the government hears, etc., and suggest to resolve the issue; like the ‘Herald’, ‘Allah’ and possibly the MAZU case.
    S – SELF PRAISE! Stressing the issue has been resolved through compromise between the BN component parties under the BN power sharing spirit! Advise problems can be resolved by bringing to MCA or MIC (the proper channel!) for cabinet review. Ignorant non-Malays voters are being duped into believing the BN power sharing work best for them; and they ‘loyally’ vote them in again!

    The IRS worked year after year! Please explain to everyone you know of this IRS tactic to expose their trick!

    IRS – means INLAND REVENUE SERVICE (INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT) in some countries. It is INFRINGE, RESOLVE, SELF PRAISE in Malaysia!

    ISLAMIC STATE is another IRS case! They are the one who try to INFRINGE the non-Malays’ right by bringing up the issue. If it meets strong protest, they will RESOLVE, backing-out, and SELF-PRAISE they hear, they compromise on the issue in BN spirit! They would gain support not only from the Malays but also the ignorant non-Malays!

  46. #46 by ktteokt on Wednesday, 2 January 2008 - 6:57 am

    Usual BN gimmick is to create problems and let the people make noise and object. And then let some half past six guy stand out and act as “middle man” to resolve the problem to show that the BN government “care, is understanding and tolerant”. Beware, this may just be one of these cases to win the hearts of voters in the coming GE.

    If at all building a statue infringes the rights of Islam, then blaring out prayers during the Azan infringes the rights of non-Muslims. I still remembered the “Guan Yin” statue in Penang which was reduced to a “plump lady” because its original height exceeded that of the Governor’s residence or the state mosque. And they have the cheeks to talk of “equality” – “membina masyarakat yang adil” as claimed in the Rukunegara.

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