Home Ministry confirms no case in Christianity becoming official religion

The Star
by Aaron Ngui

GEORGE TOWN (Oct 16, 2011): Investigations have found no evidence to support allegations of efforts to make Christianity the official religion of the country, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein confirmed.

At a press conference today, Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi said this was in Hishammuddin's written parliamentary reply to Kulim MP Zulkifli Noordin, and therefore there is no evidence to incriminate any individuals in the matter.

Ooi pointed out that the investigation papers had been referred to the Attorney General's (AG) Chambers and the case has been classified as NFA (no further action) by the deputy public prosecutor.

Zakhir Mohamed, the author of the blog ‘bigdogdotcom’ first suggested the existence of the alleged conspiracy, reporting a hearsay account of a plan to make Christianity the official religion of Malaysia and for a Christian to be Prime Minister.

The allegation was then featured on the front page of Utusan Malaysia on May 7. Another blog ‘Marahku’ also carried the allegation but later removed the posting.

The allegation had implicated local pastors and Ooi who had attended a dinner in conjunction with the ‘Unashamedly Ethical Marketplace Conference’ on May 5 and 6.

The conference was organised by the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, Global Day of Prayer, Marketplace Penang and Penang Pastors Fellowship.

In a joint statement on May 8, the three groups refuted the claims as “unfounded and totally untrue”, pointing out that the conference was to discuss and address the issue of bribery and corruption, and Christians’ contribution in addressing such issues.

Ooi said Hishammuddin's reply to Zulkifli during the current Parliament session confirmed the allegations to be baseless and untruthful.

He urged the Home Ministry to revoke Utusan Malaysia’s printing licence and called on the editors of the paper to issue an unconditional apology.

Datuk Keramat assemblymen Jagdeep Singh Deo, meanwhile, said the paper should come out with an unconditional apology.

Jagdeep, a lawyer by trade, urged the Home Ministry to take immediate action to protect the peace and harmony of Malaysia.