Apologise to Muslims in the country, Guan Eng told

FIFTY Pas members and supporters gathered at the Gurun mosque here yesterday urging DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to apologise to Muslims in the country for proposing the word "Allah" to be used in the Malay version of the Bible.

The group also wanted to know Pakatan Rakyat presidential council's stand on the issue.

A member of the group, Mohamad Khalid Abd Hamid, said: "As far as we are concerned, DAP has rejected Islamic principles a long time ago.

"I remember how DAP chairman Karpal Singh had made a big fuss over Pas' intention to implement hudud if Pakatan Rakyat takes over Putrajaya."

Khalid, 34, who had been the Youth chief of the Pas Pengkalan Bujang branch for 12 years, later announced he was quitting the party as he was frustrated with Pakatan's inconsistent stand on the use of the word "Allah".

DAP: Let’s fight Ibrahim Ali together

In his Wesak Day message, Guan Eng said the DAP is willing to work with all Malaysians, including non-Umno component members in BN, to fight extremism in the country.



The DAP today invited all “non-Umno” members in Barisan Nasional (BN) to cast aside their political beliefs and unite with their opposition foes to fight one common enemy together — Datuk Ibrahim Ali.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in lambasting the government’s failure to reprimand the Perkasa president for waging a crusade against the Christians, said it was time for all Malaysians to unite against extremism, regardless of their political beliefs.

“Only if we cleanse hatred from our heart and fill our soul with love can we find peace, balance and harmony with our lives and with each other. For this reason, DAP calls on all Malaysians to stand up for peace and harmony by uniting against extremists and harmony that wants to see Malaysia burn with hatred and violence.

“DAP is willing to work with all Malaysians, including non-Umno component members in BN, to oppose this crusade and demand action against Utusan Malaysia and Ibrahim Ali’s reckless opportunism and irresponsible adventurism,” he said in his Wesak Day message today.

TI-M chief confirms no ‘Christian Malaysia’ pact

Low said he was ready to give his statement on the matter to the police.

There is no pact between Christian and DAP leaders to turn Christianity into the constitutional religion of Malaysia, Datuk Paul Low asserted today.

The Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) president, who was an invited guest speaker at the Unashamedly Ethical Conference (UEC) on May 5 in George Town, vouched for the organisers of the event and stressed that the only pledges which were presented then were anti-corruption pledges.

“I categorically confirm that no pact or pledge for Christianity as an official religion or for a Christian prime minister was made on the evening of May 5 or at any time during the conference,” Low told reporters here today.

The TI-M president said that he was “gravely concerned” about the allegations made by some bloggers as well as Utusan Malaysia regarding a pledge to install a Christian as prime minister, and repeatedly stressed that the such claims were untrue.

He defended the UEC and said its purpose was to promote “ethical, good values and clean living” among Christians.

Christian conspiracy: Perkasa gives gov't 2 weeks

Christian conspiracy: Perkasa gives gov't 2 weeks


Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein must probe the alleged conspiracy to turn the country into a Christian state and issue a public statement in two weeks time, demanded Malay rights group
Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa).

In issuing the warning, the group's president Ibrahim Ali warned of threats to national security if the authorities delayed investigations into the matter.

PEMBELA: Islam terancam di Malaysia

Gabungan NGO Melayu-Islam, Pertubuhan Pembela Islam (PEMBELA) mendakwa agama Islam sedang diancam dan digugat di negara ini.

Jurucakapnya Yusri Mohamad, perkara itu dikesan melalui perkembangan terkini melibatkan hubungan Islam-Kristian.

Tambahnya, pelantikan exco bagi menangani hal ehwal bukan Islam di Pulau Pinang dan pelantikan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri yang beragama Kritian Datuk Seri Idris Jala untuk menangani isu Bible berbahasa Melayu mengancam dan menggugat kedudukan Islam sebagai agama rasm

Bible issue not handled appropriately: Muslim NGOs

Pembela, an umbrella body representing 19 Muslim NGOs, is unhappy with the government's handling of the Al-Kitab issue, claiming it threatens the position of Islam in the country.

Expressing disappointment over the government's 10-point solution presented to Christian groups to address the Al-Kitab controversy amicably, Pembela chairman Dr Yusri Mohamad is doubtful it will solve the issue.

"We are disappointed by the way the issue is handled (by the government) and certainly not comfortable in the way it is being pushed by the Christian groups.

Poco-poco OK, says National Fatwa Council

The National Fatwa Council said, however, that it will respect the decision of the Perak Fatwa Council to ban the dance

The National Fatwa Council will not ban Muslims from doing the poco-poco as long as the dance does not go against existing guidelines, its chairman Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin has said.

“If it does not violate (the rules), there is no ban. In fact, we feel there should be no restriction as it brings health benefits,” he told reporters today.

Abdul Shukor, however, said the National Fatwa Council would respect the decision of the Perak Fatwa Council to ban the dance on the grounds that it contained elements of Christian and spirit worship.

Muslim group protests against ‘extremist’ Christians

A group of 30 men gathered at the main entrance of the National Mosque after prayers today.
Pembela spokesman Dr Yusri Mohamad accused Christians in Malaysia of harbouring a hidden agenda

An umbrella coalition of Muslim groups held a protest today and declared they were willing to shed blood against ‘extremist’ Christians that insult and ridicule the position of Islam in the country.

The Muslim Organisations in Defence of Islam (Pembela), comprising 20 groups, protested after Friday prayers at the National Mosque against Putrajaya’s release of Malay-language bibles and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s promise to never impound the Alkitab again.

A group of 30 men dressed in white shirts and skullcaps gathered at the main entrance of the mosque after prayers with placards saying “Allah is great! We Ansarullah (helpers of Allah) are watching you!”

Group spokesman Dr Yusri Mohamad said that the Christians are beginning to challenge and dismantle the status and sovereignty of Islam as the state religion.

Dirty tactics claim

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claims BN will initiate dirty tactics to ensure the coalition's 2/3 majority.

DAP refutes Pakatan reneged on promise to Sarawak church leaders

Pakatan Rakyat leaders meet the press after their meeting with Sarawak church leaders in Kuching yesterday, April 14, 2011


The DAP denied today the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) faction had breached its word to the Association of Churches Sarawak (ACS) here by speaking to the media after their closed-door meeting yesterday — a move that could see disastrous results for the opposition bloc so close to polling day.

Politicians on both sides of the divide have been jostling to win favour with the church in Malaysia’s biggest and most Christian state after the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government fumbled in dealing with the religious community over its Malay-language holy book last month.

Yesterday, state-owned Bernama reported the ACS as saying it “regretted” the tripartite PR had breached its promise against holding a press conference on the Alkitab issue after its closed-door breakfast meeting with church leaders.

Pakatan will go ‘far beyond’ two-thirds, Anwar predicts

Anwar, with other PKR leaders, speaks to the press in Kuching today, April 15, 2011.

With just 12 hours left on the campaign clock, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confidently declared that Pakatan Rakyat is now looking beyond denying Barisan Nasional its two-thirds majority and aiming to capture Sarawak.

But the PR de facto leader said the final hours would prove crucial to ensure BN’s last-ditched attempt to use money politics and underhanded tactics to steal opposition votes would not succeed.

Church group says not fighting just for Alkitab but rights of all

Shastri said it is not an ‘us versus them’ position.
The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) said last night that the church is not merely making a stand in the Alkitab row but it is also concerned for the rights of all Malaysians.

Speaking at a prayer meeting here, its general-secretary Rev Dr Hermen Shastri said that the position of the church should not be viewed as “us versus them” but for the “full expression of every human being to seek, live and practise the faith inspired by their holy books.”

Church accepts Najib’s efforts to appease Christians

ACS secretary-general Head Elder Ambrose Linang said today’s meeting did not touch on politics or the state election
The Sarawak Church says it considers the 10-point solution to be a “statement of regret and appeal for forgiveness”.

The Sarawak Church has accepted with open arms the government’s efforts to temper the Christian community’s anger over the Alkitab bibles row, saying today it considered the 10-point solution as a “statement of regret and appeal for forgiveness”.

“As a body that brings together a wide cross-section of the Christian community in Malaysia, we know about the sinfulness of man and have experienced the forgiveness of God.

Behind PKR-SNAP impasse, a battle to be CM

Sarawakians attend Bahasa Malaysia mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Kuching yesterday.

The extensive campaign to highlight alleged land grabs in Sarawak has become a double-edged sword for the opposition, causing restlessness among Dayak voters but also a rift between PKR and the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) in their ambition to claim the chief ministership.

Barisan Nasional (BN) is not expected to lose the 26 Malay-Melanau seats held by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

But should BN be denied the 36 seats needed to retain power, then the opposition party with the most Dayak representatives would be in a strong position to lead a new state government.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will be forced to negotiate with SNAP to form government despite the latter failing to reach an electoral pact with PKR before nominations on Wednesday.

Christian anger causes ripples in Tasik Biru

Donis Dobin, 51, complained that she was yet to hear from the government over the status of her eight-acre piece of land. 

People attend mass at St Joseph Cathedral Kuching, April 10, 2011.
The Alkitab and Allah rows have struck a nerve in Sarawak’s Christians
A PKR flag is flown above a stall in Tasik Biru. A man ties a PKR flag onto the back of a truck.

Something has broken the signature silence of Tasik Biru, one of Sarawak’s six Bidayuh-centric localities, located some 60km outside of the state’s capital.

Reverberations caused by Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) campaign in the city centre appear to have reached Kuching’s outskirts, creeping into the quiet townships within the constituency.

While the Barisan Nasional (BN) force has never been conquered here, but villagers now seem notably aware of the growing disenchantment with the administration felt by their fellow Sarawakians living just an hour away from them.

They are also opening their eyes to the brilliant shade of blue surrounding the twin crescents that are PKR’s symbol and growing less bedazzled by BN’s scales.

One central issue that has riled up the local folk in Tasik Biru is the government’s refusal to allow Christians to use the word “Allah” in their prayers in Bahasa Malaysia, a restriction alien to them until the recent months.

DAP tells Taib to walk Alkitab talk

Taib yesterday called the stamping of the Alkitab a “stupid idea”.The home ministry’s stamp is seen behind the front cover of a copy of the Alkitab.


Tan Sri Taib Mahmud must demand Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein apologise to all Malaysians for “dishonouring” 35,100 Malay language bibles with his ministry’s stamp and serial numbers, Lim Guan Eng said today.

This was the only way Taib can prove his sincerity on the matter, said the DAP secretary-general today.

“DAP doubts Taib’s sincerity in only calling the whole issue a ‘stupid idea’ in the middle of the Sarawak state elections.

“Taib should prove that his criticisms at the home ministry for this ‘stupid idea’ is not another politicking tactic to fish for Christian voters in the Sarawak [state election], by demanding an unconditional and immediate apology from Hishamuddin,” said Lim in a statement.

Taib, who is campaigning in the state election set for April 16, had yesterday described the stamping of the Alkitab as a “stupid idea”.

Opposition falters in Sarawak as PKR splits with SNAP

PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang: Conflicting claims with SNAP.

The opposition force in Sarawak crumbled today as Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) key party PKR turned around to blame SNAP for its failed talks on seat allocation and denounced its partnership with the Sarawak-based party for the April 16 state election.

PKR also continued to accuse SNAP of being in cahoots with its Barisan Nasional (BN) foes, and alleged that the ruling coalition had likely been the ones to orchestrate the impasse.

In a statement today, PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang refuted yesterday’s remarks from SNAP, or the Sarawak National Party, blaming PKR for failing to respond to its requests on the distribution of seats.

Instead, Chua claimed that it was SNAP that had continually ignored PKR’s efforts to reach a compromise.

“We report with deep regret that our efforts to reach an electoral pact with SNAP for the Sarawak state elections have been continually frustrated,” he said.

Sarawak polls: Speaker, two assistant ministers dropped

from left: BN candidates Datuk Awang Tengah Ali, PBB and state BN publicity chief Tan Sri Adenan Satem and Tan Sri Dr. Alfred Jabu at the press conference.

Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Asfia Awang Nasar and two assistant ministers are among those being dropped from the Barisan Nasional (BN) list of candidates for the upcoming state elections.

The two assistant ministers are Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck, who has been replaced by Lanang member of parliament and Sibu mayor Datuk Tiong Thai King, in Dudong and Larry Sng is dropped in favour of Stanley Nyitar, in Pelagus.

Sng has been without a party since he was sacked from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) in 2008.

Asfia is being replaced by Abdullah Saidol in Semob.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud will defend his Balingian seat. Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president and Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan will again be defending his Piasau constituency.

PRS president Datuk Seri Dr James Masing will defend his Balleh seat while Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party ( SPDP) president Datuk Seri William Mawan Ikom will also be defending his Pakan seat.

In all, the kingpin of the Sarawak BN, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), is fielding 10 new faces, SUPP seven, and PRS, two.

The BN, however, is unable to release the name of a candidate for Ba’Kelalan.

All leaders of BN component parties will defend their seats

All the four leaders of the component parties of Sarawak Barisan National will be defending their respective seats in the upcoming April 16 state election.

Barisan Nasional Sarawak announces candidates

BN Sarawak contest in all 71 seats in its state election.