Who speaks for the government?


The Malaysian Insider
April 04, 2011

APRIL 4 — All the Christians had asked was for Putrajaya to prove its sincerity over the Alkitab issue. And the government failed the first test.

In the space of two days, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the 10-point solution announced by Datuk Seri Idris Jala last Saturday was not final.

“We’re still in the middle of negotiations. Nothing is finalised yet,” Hishammuddin told The Malaysian Insider.

He stressed that the government was taking a “fair and reasonable” step-by-step approach to address the Malay bibles issue, pointing out that nothing will get resolved if Christians and Muslims get bogged down by details.

“The main thing is that we have to move forward… in a reasonable, non-polemic way,” he said.

While the 10-point solution itself wasn’t a final solution to the myriad of issues connected with the Alkitab, Hishammuddin’s remarks today showed how difficult it is for anyone to take the government seriously when it offers plausible solutions to issues that affect the constitutional rights of Malaysians.

And it begs the question, who speaks for the Government of Malaysia? Indeed, the prime minister is first among equals but what of other ministers?

Jala, who has worked actively on the Alkitab issue, has only locus standi as a Christian interested in ensuring that the government he serves takes care of his co-religionists. But is it his job? He joined the government to work on economic transformation programmes but, of late, has spent his time on the Alkitab issue with pledges that now apparently remain promises on paper.

Hishammuddin, the minister whose agencies have a direct bearing on the import and printing of the Alkitab under law, appears to be the only authority that matters when it comes to the bibles.

His pronouncements mean the issue is not solved and the Christians, who have long sought to worship in Bahasa Malaysia, will have to continue to be patient and turn the other cheek. And according to Jala who quoted the Bible, forgive at least 77 times.

This isn’t a time for forgiveness as the government finds its feet and mouth on this issue. Putrajaya must decide which course it must take rather than vacillate or get two ministers to contradict each other. If this is how the government is run, what about other issues that plague the nation?

Now is the time for hard questions to the government. And for it to answer and decide on the Alkitab rather than leave the Christians to continue begging for their constitutional right to believe in God in whatever language they desire.

  1. #1 by hallo on Monday, 4 April 2011 - 6:24 pm

    It is a man-made problem.

    Every human is god children.

    Stupid human being selfishness blind their eyes divine the god like their copyright.

    The problem lies is how they convert the name in English.

    Isn’t it as god?

    Isn’t it they agreed the would be only one god?

    Are they trying to insult other religions god is not god while they translate the name as GOD?

    It is just a stupid human being trying to champion others and gang up among god children.

    All human being are god children.

    No human can take out the rights from god.

  2. #2 by pulau_sibu on Monday, 4 April 2011 - 6:33 pm

    about the UM-NO video

    it does not look like anwar

    the girl does not look like chinese, more like a thai.

    this must be the largest joke of the century

  3. #3 by Loh on Monday, 4 April 2011 - 9:26 pm

    Idris Jala spoke on behalf of the Cabinet, and Kerismuddin thought that as a cousin of PM Najib, he is allowed to say what needs to save Najib. So Cabinet decision is just suggestion. Najib does not even dare to speak directly to the issue!

  4. #4 by sheriff singh on Monday, 4 April 2011 - 9:39 pm

    Hishamuddin is not a team player. Cabinet had made its decision and but Hishamuddin will regularly come out subsequently to contradict Cabinet decisions.

    The Cabinet is collectively responsible for its decisions and any Minister who disagrees must do the honourable thing – resign.

    But this is !Malaysia where anything goes, no honour, no integrity, no accountability etc etc. Nothing seems to be final but I forget, we produce rubber which is elastic.

    Idris Jala should stop being the fall guy, the scapegoat. Or is he still naive?

  5. #5 by monsterball on Monday, 4 April 2011 - 9:48 pm

    Christain religious matters need negotiations…while Islamic matters…no negotiations…take it or leave it.
    That is how Govt hope to have “1Malaysia”?

  6. #6 by limkamput on Monday, 4 April 2011 - 11:03 pm

    Who speaks for the government? You really want to know? Okay, let me tell you this, the answer is “it depends”. You see, when Idris Jala announced those measures in the hurry, the objective was to truncate the Christians’ demand. While the Christians are still not satisfied, the Malay groups are now agitated, thinking that the government is giving away too much. Of course the Malay first government must keep the Malays happy. So our Krismuddin must now do something not to alienate the support of the Malays.

    What conclusions can we draw from here: 1. The government has no principle; whatever decision it makes (cabinet or not) is based on expediency. 2. So long it is able to keep the constituents happy, damn with what is sustainable, right or reasonable. 3. However when push comes to shove, the government must always satisfy the Malays, it does not matter it is detrimental to the non Malays. 4. Idris Jala (with due respect to his capability) is just a nincompoop minister in charge of labs and workshops. So do you still want to believe what Idris has promised you earlier? I have said earlier why Idris was the one to announce the 10 points solution and not the Home Minister. Now you must know why I said so. If Idris is really acceptable, he should have been Home Affairs Minister.

  7. #7 by boh-liao on Tuesday, 5 April 2011 - 1:25 am

    PERKOSA n UmnoB speak 4 d gomen, n MCA + Gerakan + MIC can only bitch (so said Nazi)

  8. #8 by dagen on Tuesday, 5 April 2011 - 8:57 am

    Pls people understand that islam jenis-umno is supreme. More importantly accept islam jenis-umno as the supreme religion of the universe. When that is done, then all problems will fade away. All issues will vanish. And all unfairness, abuses, oppressions and corrupt acts of umno would become invisible and cease their existence.

  9. #9 by Cinapek on Tuesday, 5 April 2011 - 10:15 am

    “..And it begs the question, who speaks for the Government of Malaysia? ..”

    No one. It does not matter who makes the comment. Even the PM. Because for reasons of political expediency, the BN Govt will change their story or decision whenever they see fit.

    So voters and rakyat beware! In the upcoming elections, trust election promises by BN bigwigs at your own peril. This BN Govt. has proven and confirmed time and again that it will renegade on its promises. All it takes is a call from Perkasa. At least they are consistent. Consistently racist that is.

    As for Idris Jala and Hishamuddin, the one who is wrong should do the honourable thing and resign like Zaid did. Not just for your own principles but also save this country from further shame and ridicule. Our ministerial shennanigans are worse than those of some African banana republics.

  10. #10 by tak tahan on Tuesday, 5 April 2011 - 10:45 am

    Who speaks for the government and also God?Certainly the now ready to be converted En Idris Jala bin Hisapputing.God had enough and just send the message via twister to Dr spin cc to Idris and canines that the almighty God is officially god of islam.Full Period.No more arguing and twist twist here and there..God is so..shameful of bolehland for after fifty over years who still can’t twist gracefully to the tune of tango instead flip-flopping for all to see and laugh at.

  11. #11 by wanderer on Tuesday, 5 April 2011 - 11:04 am

    How come the God fearing UMNO/Perkasa [deleted] were so silent and inactive, when the pastor in the States burnt the Quran and accused the muslims as religious frauds! No marbles to demonstrate against a Super power? …itu lah, very brave with weak and unprotected targets…puiih!

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