Please forgive me if I offend anyone here … especially Christians.
First, I am one. So, I’m warning myself.
Second, I am a Pastor. So, I’m cautioning those in leadership like me.
Third, I am a Malaysian and Concerned Citizen. I think we need to be responsible with our actions … whether we generate a SMS or forward one.
Here’s what I wrote to my contacts (with a bit of refining in italics and blue):
I got the following SMS twice from sincere people. So if you are one of them who sent it to me… this is not a personal attack to those who sent it to me.
it’s reads like this …
"Fwd-Urgent! Raja Nazrin has accepted Ngeh Koo Ham (Christian) as Chief Minister of Perak but PAS objected violently. Pray God’s will be done. pl fwd"
I won’t forward this SMS for the following reasons.
1. I don’t know the source. So, I’m not sure whether both the info on Ngeh is correct. And the "objected violently" is very subjective and is prone to misunderstanding.
2. Even if it’s true that Raja Nazrin choose Ngeh (which if I’m right it’s the Sultan’s authority unless delegated) why highlight the Christian part which alienates our Muslim friends unnecessarily. Furthermore, we called for change especially during the recent elections that seeks to take away our focus on race and religion and redirect it to common concerns, why do we Christians fall into the trap in which we criticize others?
3. While I don’t question the sincerity of the 1st person who sent this (even if this is true), I question the maturity of it … but intuitively I’m not at ease.
4. And if it’s from someone not sincere, and trying to stir some hostility, let’s not fall for it. These are times where we must not let our guard down.my 2 cents.
BTW, I pray for God’s Will to be done here on earth as it is heaven constantly. But I keep check on my own prejudices and preferences.
Sivin
And then I read this from a young friends blog "Urgent…"
I have just received this worrying SMS:
"Fwd-Urgent! Raja Nazrin has accepted Nga Kho Ham (Christian) as Chief Minister of Perak but PAS objected violently. Pray God’s will be done."
My first reaction was to ask for the source of this SMS and asked if this piece of news is reliable. But I was told that this SMS has been circulating within the church circle but its authenticity couldn’t be verified.
I went online to check the news portal and blogs but didn’t come across any such news. I have no way of verifying it. If anyone know anything, please drop me a comment, e-mail or SMS. At the mean time, please stay calm and DO NOT forward any SMS until its authenticity can be verified. And always ask the person who sends the SMS for the reliablity of the content.
[Updated 545pm] Another SMS followed saying to disregard the news as it’s a rumour to create confusion.
[Updated 548am] Read this: New Perak MB by end week – “All three parties have unanimously agreed that we will fully endorse the Sultan’s choice,” said Ngeh, speaking for coalition. SMS confirmed circulated for purposes of inciting fear and panic.
So it’s confirmed .. it’s a rumour to create confusion. My question to us is did we forward it to quickly without a pause for reconsideration …. some soul searching is needed if we did.
There are four comments from the post from my friend which are good to keep us in check.
kiawin said… -
Only Sultan Azlan Shah can make the decision, not Raja Nazrin. The sms is a pure fiction.
5:50 PM
- Discordant Dude said…
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certain quarters are trying very hard to create an atmosphere of panic and fear. a lot of prudence and sensitivity is required…
5:59 PM
- healthywealthy said…
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i thought that it had been clearly stated in the state constitution that MB must be a Muslim & malay except in Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak. I guess the sms that is circulating currently is the work of a very irresponsible person and an opportunist who are riding on other peoples ignorance. Pls counter future sms u received with such provocations with wisdom.Always check your facts bfor forwading provocative remarks.
7:50 PM
Anonymous said… -
the best thing to do is to delete that sms and wait for the actual announcement. some people just wanna create animosity on purpose. you know who the sore losers are la.
9:25 PM
- ronald said…
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> Only Sultan Azlan Shah can make the decision, not Raja Nazrin
Raja Nazrin’s currently Regent, so doesn’t that make the decision technically his to make?11:31 PM
- Discordant Dude said…
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"Under the state constitution, the menteri besar has to be a Malay Muslim, but there is a provision that allows the Sultan to waive the requirement." Read more from the Malaysiakini link updated in my blog post.
Let us continue to encourage citizens to be wary of such irresponsible SMS.5:54 AM
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colin said…
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In fact, the Perak PAS commissioner, Ahmad Awang, said in a press conference that “It does not matter if the position goes to a DAP candidate as the Menteri Besar is for the new coalition government,” The police is apparently cracking down on those who spread rumours to incite violence.
The three names submitted thus far are DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham, state PKR treasurer Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, and state Pas liaison secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin. Lets wait for the official announcement by the Sultan, probably tonight or tmr latest.12:56 PM
I think all the simcard now belong to registered name. So if we report this to police they can track down to the first sender. This is act of irrespossible people. Ignore it or make a police report or send back sms to sender and tell them we will report to police.
Becareful Brave rakyat. Do not let rumors destroy what have been built in this past week. The new united Malaysia sans racist and religous oppresion. We are free now and must keep ourselves free. Be mature and thoughtful. Race and religion has no place in Politics. That was the sucess of last weeks elections. Keep up the momentum. LongBow
I think being a good MB have nothing to do with you being a Christian or not…there are many good MPs out there in the recent election which have gave their lives for the betterment of other people and they are not Christians.
Christians have a lot to learn from them….as Jesus have the same passion as they are.
I certainly agree with you Rev. In fact, on Mar 8, 2 other text messages came, one on Hishamuddin “not wanting Chinese votes”, one on Han Chiang school being purportedly “Punished”. Both messages came from mature people, who, unfortunately did not think twice before forwarding the messages. We have to be careful, and not fall prey to messages like this, with the ultimate objective to instigate. It’s Day 4 of the “New Era”, Thank God things are looking pretty promising.
Awful, awful, awful sms. If i know who the perpetrator is i would just GIVE HIM ONE.
Now the refrain in the blogosphere has to be blog wisely and sms wisely.
Already have across another scary rumour which i won’t repeat here. Until i see it confirmed in the media, i will not believe anything.
I can’t wait for the Perak and Selangor MBs to be sworn in next week. I’ve been holding my breath since saturday. Not very healthy. 😉
Well, the new MB has been announced, and as expected, the DAP holds the Deputy MB post. Whatever it is, let’s put this fiasco behind us, pray and see what they can do for the next 5 years. We will continue pushing for non-Malays to be put at top posts, but lets see if they can live up to just doing their jobs, irrespective of their race and religion.
things is like a mess now. ppl that hit on LKS blog must be BN ppl. dont trust too much of them. sure some information that amissed to us. if not why raja petra aslo so suprised with the PAS as mb? palace conservativeness? i hope DAP all member will go behind electing DAP member as mb? non-bumi also dont so stupid hitting out before u all understand much. ITs not bout race. its bout righteous. AS long as DAp it will be ok irrespective of race. The king must waive the mb condition in this case. clear cut. since the 3 party say before election tat majority will lead and choose mb. dont tell me they havent think bout this rule of malay and muslim as mb requirement. so all must honour. submitting 3 name is just actually to show a easier way for the palace and coalition to gone down well with malay voter especially the BN. this is to shut them up when decision is make fr king. the palace should not take the goodwill of DAP that mean to save the peace, and turn the palace themself to hero.
It’s not exactly a rumour….. but just wrong information.
On Lim Kit Siang’s blog :
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The decision to appoint a PAS Assemblyman Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Perak Mentri Besar has caused shock and consternation to DAP leaders, members and supporters.
The DAP Central Executive Committee, at its emergency meeting in Penang on Sunday, 9th March 2008, had given approval for the formation of a Perak coalition government comprising 18 DAP Assembly members, seven PKR Assemblymen and six PAS Assemblymen.
DAP is prepared to accept DAP chairman and Assemblyman for Sitiawan Ngeh Koo Ham or PKR Behrang Assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi as Perak Mentri Besar.
As the appointment of PAS Assemblyman for Pasir Panjang Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Perak Mentri Besar representing the third and smallest political party in the proposed coalition has not received the mandate of the CEC, DAP Perak Assemblymen will stay away from the swearing-in ceremony for Perak Mentri Besar scheduled tomorrow.
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Seems like DAP didn’t really agree with the chosen MB. To me, SMS got parties and the people all messed up. Subsitute the name of DAP’s Ngeh with PAS’ Nizar. DAP’s the one who objected while PAS’ assemblymen got accepted.
People are weird.
Hm, I wonder if any Christians out there are cheering for the new Perak MB. Go Nizar! 🙂
I am pretty certain I am not BN and I criticised Kit strongly for his decision 🙂
I too, found Kit Siang’s decision to be plain stupid. I mean, come on, whatever said and done, Perak DAP will support anyone the Sultan picked. With all this infighting, the coalition will have some explaining to do to the good people who brought them into power.
A person’s religion (or lack thereof) has nothing to do with his capability to be a leader. And I’m glad many of us dont vote along the lines of religion, or race anymore. So I hope this sort of sms dont originate from immature or prejudicial Christians.
If the Sultan thinks the Pas candidate is a better leader – then be it. All authorities are appointed by God.
thanks for posting this. Thank God I didnt get this sms from any of my pals.