Dark clouds with silver lining

A reflection of the St Anthony’s Church is seen on a police patrol car during mass in Kuala Lumpur. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 — Under the clear blue skies, tourists happily sunning themselves by the pool of one of Kuala Lumpur's international hotels gaze across at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and the imposing twin structures of the Petronas Towers.

But dark clouds have been gathering following the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to allow the Catholic Church the use of the word “Allah” to refer to God in the Malay section of its weekly publication, Herald.

The judge's decision on New Year's eve that it was within the church's constitutional rights to do so has triggered a storm of protest from sections of the Muslim community, culminating in the petrol bombing of five churches and a convent school so far. No one has been physically hurt although one church was badly damaged by unknown perpetrators.

For a nation at political and economic crossroads, entering the New Year on such a footing does not augur well. Already losing out on foreign investments to its neighbours owing to issues of productivity and competitiveness, its reputation for political stability and for being a moderate Muslim nation is now taking a beating after a slew of unflattering headlines globally.

The “Allah” matter is most unfortunate, coming under the spotlight only after the Home Minister in 2007 banned its use as a condition of the Herald's annual licence renewal. The church, which had been using the term all along, challenged the ban in court as non-English-speaking East Malaysian Christians have for decades used “Allah” to mean God. The government has appealed the High Court decision as it contends that “Allah” is exclusive to the Muslims and its use by others would confuse the Muslims.

Whatever the arguments and whichever way the appeal process decides, the outcome will not appease some. That is why there are suggestions that different religious groups should start engaging one another so that prickly issues can be discussed civilly.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hindusim, Sikhism and Taoism has observed the lack of dialogue had left many ignorant of the belief of others. “We are not talking on so many things, we are so afraid of sensitivity that we never talked about it,” its president, Rev Dr Thomas Philips said, adding that religious and political leaders have to set the right tone for the rest.

An inter-faith commission — mooted during the time of the Abdullah Ahmad Badawi administration — never got off the ground because of the lack of political support for it, but it should be made a priority because as the events of the past week have demonstrated, there is a need for it. Many are doubtful if Malaysia can ever achieve its economic aims when it is constantly tackling inter-ethnic and religious issues, many of which are unnecessarily politicised and which in decades past had never cropped up because Malaysia's different races interacted far more and lived more harmoniously.

The government has now said that more private inter-faith dialogues between religious leaders would be held, a wise move because even as these individual elements or fringe groups attempt to stir discord — not caring if that makes the nation appear unstable in the eyes of tourists or investors — Malaysians have remained calm and not responded in the way they might have wished. The peak hour traffic in the Klang Valley on Friday when the first firebombs were lobbed was as congested as ever, while nightspots did not report a loss of business.

A comment posted online sums it up: “I abhor what has happened thus far with regards to the attacks on churches but I am very much encouraged and comforted by the fact that rational and fair-minded Malaysians of all ages and political leanings have come forth to voice their disgust at these acts.”

Which is why even if many feel Malaysia has reached a new low in the recent attacks, it's worth noting that the widespread condemnation and revulsion to these acts is shared by an overwhelming majority who want nothing more than to live harmoniously together and to advance the country. Which is also why the authorities should go all out to nail the culprits. The sooner the better. — Business Times Singapore