Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng accused the Barisan Nasional government today of using the ongoing Valentine’s Day row to practise its divide and rule policy on the people.
The Bagan MP said in a statement that the government’s “racial games and extremism” was aimed at splitting the community to enable it to continue its rule and practise corruption.
He noted that certain parties were attempting to seek popularity among the Muslims by spreading falsehoods regarding Christianity and the Valentine’s Day celebration.
“To label Christian teachings as sinful on TV is extremely irresponsible and rude. It is very clear that certain parties are just attempting to seek popularity among Muslims by carrying out anti-Valentine’s Day campaigns as though it would save Muslims from the sins practised by non-Muslims,” he said.
Lim, a Christian, added that Valentine’s Day was not a part of the Christian religion’s beliefs or teachings, unlike what was claimed by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
In an article on its website, the authority described the February 14 celebration as being not recommended by Islam as the spirit of the festival contained Christian elements and was mixed with immoral acts.
As such, it declared that Muslims were prohibited from celebrating Valentine’s Day tomorrow.
“There is no prayer ceremony carried out in churches to mark the occasion of Valentine’s Day. On the contrary, it is merely a popular practice that does not encourage immoral activities or sin.
“If any mischievous person attempts to misuse Valentine’s Day for such activities then it should be banned by all parties, whether Muslim or non-Muslim,” he pointed out.
Jakim kicked off its ‘Mind the Valentine’s Day Trap’ campaign in Putrajaya yesterday, an initiative that is aimed at preventing Muslims, especially teenagers, from celebrating the festival tomorrow.
“If they truly want to defend Islam, why did they not carry out a campaign against the BN leader that attacked PAS’s female candidate and labelled her as extremist because she chose not to shake men’s hands?
“Why did they not carry out a campaign against the same BN leader who then labelled Islamic nations as backward, poor, corrupt and undemocratic?” asked Lim.
Lim was referring to MCA president Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek who came under fire during the recent Tenang by-election when he questioned the refusal of PAS’ candidate Normala Sudirman to shake hands with men.
Earlier last year, the outspoken MCA leader also invited criticism when he voiced out that “some of the most corrupt countries are Muslim majority”.
“The people must reject this extremist view. It is clear that these racial games and practising extremism is aimed at splitting the community by propagating fights from within in order to allow BN leaders to continue their rule and corruption scandals,” he said.
Lim added that this was proven in BN’s refusal to clarify the outflow of some RM888 billion in illicit money from the country for nine years between 2000 and 2008.
“Now this is irresponsible because it involves a large sum of the people’s money. Imagine if this RM888 billion was distributed among the 27 million Malaysians ... each person would receive RM33,000,” he said.
Unlike the BN, added Lim, Pakatan Rakyat parties chose to practise moderation in its policies and beliefs.
“PR is fair to the people of all races and religions and we promote moderation, understanding and respect among all communities,” he said.
Valentine’s Day, an annual commemoration of love and romance, and is celebrated the world over on February 14, but a 2005 religious ruling by the National Fatwa Council said the celebration has Christian elements and the “practice is mixed with immoral acts contradictory and forbidden by Islam.”
PAS Youth has also planned a similar campaign after backtracking on its earlier declaration to launch a crackdown on Muslims celebrating Valentine’s in PR states.
Malaysia will celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday on February 15 with a public holiday. Some conservatives are concerned young Muslims might be involved in immoral activities ahead of the religious occasion.
