Malaysia Christians face backlash, political tension over “Christian state”
ICC Note:
Although only 9 percent of Malaysia’s population is Christian, fear that Christian influence will seep into Malaysian society is sometimes used by political parties to sway Islamic followers. The danger of course it that this type of attack will increase discrimination against Christians and perhaps even lead to outright persecution.
By Alisha Hassan
10/10/2012 Malaysia (Bikya Masr)- Christians in Malaysia are facing new tension after a convoluted mess of politicking saw party leaders deny rumors that Christians in the country were attempting to establish a “Christian state” in Malaysia.
On Wednesday, Sarawak DAP lawmakers Wong Ho Leng and Chong Chieng Jen demanded the PAS Syura Council withdraw his allegation and issue a public apology to DAP after reportedly urging for a Christian state.
“Christians constitute a mere 9 percent of the country’s population.
“As such, it is not possible to establish a Christian state in Malaysia.
“There is therefore no reason for Christians to be made the object of hate,” they said.
The DAP lawmakers were responding to media reports of the accusation allegedly made by Nasharuddin Mat Isa during a speech at the Putra World Trade Center this week, where he allegedly claimed that DAP leaders had prayed to turn Malaysia into a Christian state during a thanksgiving ceremony held after the Sarawak state elections last year.
“The allegation is totally untrue. It is malicious and irresponsible,” Wong and Chong said in the statement.
They admitted that several “victory and thanksgiving dinners” were held to celebrate DAP’s sterling performance in Sarawak after the state wide polls on April 16, but denied that the functions were held to “pray” for a Christian state.
Christians across the country are worried that the misunderstanding could lead to reprisals against Christians in the Muslim majority country.
For Amber Materi, a Christian in Kuala Lumpur, she told Bikyamasr.com that “this controversy is not positive for the Christians here, because we already faced being outside society and now this gives people fuel for their anger.”
She added that any such prayer sessions that reportedly took place “was stupid. We are such a small minority that it does not make sense to try and force any Christian government by itself. Stupid.”
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