KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 — Utusan Malaysia has continued accusing the country’s racial minorities for wanting to establish a Christian state and a Christian prime minister despite repeated denials by Christian groups nationwide.The Umno-owned daily’s claims and reports on Christians plotting a takeover of the country are based on unsubstantiated claims made by two-pro Umno bloggers.
“Now there are attempts by some quarters to anger the majority of this country... the suggestion for Christianity to be made an official religion of the country as well as a Christian prime minister from that religious group cannot be accepted,” Utusan said in an editorial today.
The editorial insisted that Islam is the official religion of the country under Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution, and that other races had no choice but to accept this as a fact.
“We know the consequences when the minority of this country play up things which the majority are uncomfortable with.
“For over 50 years since our country achieved its independence, what is in our minds is that Islam is the official religion of Malaysia... this cannot be changed without amendments on the parliamentary level and sanctioned by the Conference of Rulers. We believe this is unlikely to happen,” the editorial said.
But Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution does not position Islam as the “official” religion of the country.
It only states that “Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation.”
Likewise, the Federal Constitution does not expressly specify race or religious requirements for the position of prime minister.
Article 43(2)(a) of the constitution states only that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall appoint as PM a member of Parliament who in his judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat.
Elaborating further, the Umno daily said today that non-Muslims in the country should be grateful for being allowed to practise their own beliefs freely, and that they were even “allowed” to practise their faiths in schools as well as build even more places of worship.
“Non-Muslim societies in schools are not banned from conducting their own activities... we can even see now more temples, churches and houses of worship being built across the country.
“What is hoped is that everybody respects Islam’s position as the official religion of the country... why must Islam’s position in the country always be questioned by some parties?” the daily said.
Utusan called for government interference in the matter, saying the government should monitor blogs and online reports which “criticised” and “insulted” Islam.
“We are concerned that these writings have certain motives which will eventually make people hate and insult Islam.
“The issue of religion and race must be treated carefully, considering the conservative attitudes of a multi-racial Malaysian society,” the daily said.
Utusan carried a front-page article on Saturday claiming that the DAP was conspiring with Christian leaders to take over Putrajaya and abolish Islam as the country’s official religion.
The report, based on blog postings by several pro-Umno bloggers, had charged the DAP with sedition for allegedly trying to change the country’s laws to allow a Christian prime minister, pointing to a grainy photograph showing what they described as a secret pact between the opposition party and pastors at a hotel in Penang on Wednesday.
The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF), together with partners Global Day of Prayer, Marketplace Penang and Penang Pastors Fellowship, said the claims against their community were lies, and has refuted the bloggers’ allegations.
Similarly, DAP leaders have denied the report and have accused Utusan of lying and have lodged police reports over the matter.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has called for calm and to allow the matter to be investigated first before making conclusions.
Meanwhile, law expert Prof Abdul Aziz Bari said that having a Malay prime minister was not necessary in order for Islam and Malay rights to be protected.
He said that even a non-Muslim prime minister could safeguard Malay-Muslims as long as the individual abided by the Federal Constitution.
Aziz blamed former PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for amending the constitution and inadvertently creating the impression that a Malay PM was needed to safeguard Malay-Muslim interests.
“The need for a Malay PM came about as the constitution has been tampered with by (Dr) Mahathir. Otherwise the system was good, Islam and Malays have been given enough protection by the constitution through the frame work it created,” Aziz told The Malaysian Insider.
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