A few days ago, I sent my Christmas greetings to His Grace
Archbishop John Hung of Taipei, and proudly shared with him that Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Murphy Pakiam, on behalf of the Christian Federation of Malaysia(CFM), hosted a Christmas tea party at his residence attended by Prime Minister Najib, cabinet ministers, political leaders, foreign dignitaries and the public. (picture: Archbishop Pakiam, with Prime Minister and wife and the African Christian community at the open house)
This is an annual function hosted on rotation by various CFM members.
I also told Archbishop John that it is our Malaysian unique way of "open house" to foster understanding and harmony among the difference cultures, religions and races.
Today, Malaysiakini, an established Internet news portal reported that Seputeh MP Teresa Kok is demanding an apology from the prime minister for his office's directive to rid religious elements from a Christmas celebration, which she said was “disrespectful” to Christianity.
According to Kok, who is also Selangor state senior exco, the Prime Minister's Office's had issued a directive for crucifixes to be removed from the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) Christmas event on 25 Dec, where Prime Minister Najib Razak was a guest. The directive, she said, also prohibited Christian prayers and hymns during the event that was held at the Catholic Church Archbishop's residence.
“Najib should apologise to the Christian Federation of Malaysia for 'de-Christianising' their Christmas celebration, that yet again denied Malaysians the right to freedom of religion,” said Kok in a statement.
This was not mentioned in any of the main stream newspapers and media.
My heart sunk and feeling shameful. I wished I have not tell Archbishop Hung about the open house.
And what a shameless act of disrespect to the host in particular and the Christian community in general.
I do no know if the host complied. That will make it more shameful.
The directive itself is stupid and shameful. It slaps right on the face of Najib who has been preaching "1 Malaysia" "1 people" "tolerence and respect of others"......
数天前,我传送了圣诞的祝贺,给台北洪山川总主教。在电邮中,我也很高兴的和他分享了吉隆坡总教区巴吉安总主教,代表『马来西亚基督联合会』,在主教府举办了一个圣诞茶会,到会者有首相纳吉,内阁部长,政党领袖及民众。
这是『基督徒联合会』的年度活动,有联合会的会员轮流主办。
我也告诉总主教,这是我们马来西亚非常独有的“开放门户”方式活动,以加强各民族,文化及宗教的谅解及和谐。
今天,『今日大马』网上新闻报道,士布爹国会议员郭素沁要求首相纳吉对他办公室助理所发出的一项指示作出道歉。
根据郭素沁的文告,首相纳吉的办公室一位副手向『基督徒联合会』发出一项指示,纳吉将出席的圣诞茶会主办当局,移掉所有的十字架,任何的宗教装饰,不可唱基督徒圣歌及祷告。
身为雪兰莪州高级行政理事及天主教徒的郭素沁说:“纳吉应该向『基督徒联合会』道歉,因为他无理的指示圣诞节的庆祝,要“去基督化”。他又再一次的否决了马来西亚人民的宗教信仰自由的权利”
这段新闻没有在主要的媒体出现。
我看了这段新闻后,心都冷了一截。我真的希望我没有像洪总主教提到圣诞茶会这件事。
我不知道主办单位是否遵行这些指示,要不然那就更加的羞耻了。
这是一项愚蠢及羞耻指示。它在纳吉脸上狠狠地打了一巴掌,因为纳吉大力度鼓吹“一个马来西亚”“一个子民”“容忍及尊重他人”。。。
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