Sivin Kit’s Garden

Archive for January, 2010

Civil Society Joint Statement

2010-01-29

Police Investigation on Mosque Attacks must pursue the political operators

We the undersigned civil society groups condemn in the strongest terms the utmost sinister act of throwing heads of wild boar into the compound of two mosques on Old Klang Road in the early morning hours of January 27, 2010 (Wednesday).

Like the cow-head protest in Shah Alam last August and the earlier attacks on churches, mosques, suraus and gurdwara, the desecration of the At-Tirmizi Mosque, Sri Sentosa and Jumhuriyah Mosque, Taman Dato Harun is the latest of deliberate and desperate acts to provoke religious conflicts in Malaysia.

Malaysians of all faiths have however once again valiantly defeated such wicked plots. The ahli qariah (members) of the desecrated mosques and the Muslim community at large have demonstrated admirable calm and cool-headedness, just like the Hindu, Christian and Sikh communities before this.

As in the past, Malaysians of other faiths see the attack on Islam as an attack on their own faiths. In an immediate response, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has condemned any such violence on any house of worship as “a sin of the highest order”.

The inter-faith solidarity of Malaysians is a clear and loud testimony that Malaysian society has passed another test on communal relations and emerged only ever stronger than before. No cow head, pig head or fire can set the fraternity and goodwill amongst Malaysians on fire. The agent provocateurs are only burning themselves in stark desperation devoid of any modicum of civic consciousness or religiosity.

The  indomitable spirit of mutual respect and muhibbah  of the Malaysian society in the face of   challenging inter-faith issues is however tarnished by the continuous failures of the Malaysian state of law and order. The police must stop dismissing such attacks as purely  acts of vandalism or juvenile delinquency.

The time related sequence  in the aftermath of the court’s decision on the use of the word “Allah”; suggest the orchestrations of these malicious incidents by a mastermind behind the scenes. These serial attacks can only be halted if the police undertakes a thorough and impartial investigation to uncover the heinous hidden hands, who are most probably politically connected. Unless, this is done the situation may become more serious and ugly and God forbid, lives of our citizens maybe in jeopardy.

We however object to any use of the Internal Security Act or Sedition Act. No one should capitalize on the pain of the religious communities to rejuvenate the evils of authoritarianism. The culprits must be charged in Court under the Penal Code or other relevant laws. We demand that all ISA detainees, including the latest 12 to be charged in court or released unconditionally.

Endorsing Civil Society Groups:

1. Academy of Tamil Studies
2. Aliran Kesedaran Malaysia (Aliran)
3. All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
4. Bar Council of Malaysia
5. Borneo Research Institute Sarawak (BRIMAS)
6. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
7. Child Development Initiative
8. Child Information, Learning and Development Centre
9. Civil Right Committee, Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall  (CRC-KLSCAH)
10. Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)
11. Community Development centre (CDC)
12. Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM)
13. Editorial board of Horizon e-journal
14. Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia
15. Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations
16. Friends in Conversation (FIC)
17. Group of Concerned Citizens
18. Hartal Mainstream Media (Hartal-MSM)
19. Indian Malaysian Active Generation (IMAGE)
20. Institute for Development of Alternative Living (IDEAL)
21. Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
22. Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia Sarawak (JOAS)
23. Jaringan RAkyat Tertindas( JERIT)
24. Kelab Bell Belia Selangor
25. Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth Section
26. LLG Cultural Development Centre
27. Majlis Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Malaysia
28. Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram
29. Malaysia Lekshmi Pooja Meditation Society
30. Malaysia Tamil Artiste Association
31. Malaysia Tamil Neri Kalagam
32. Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)
33. Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates
34. Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST)
35. Malaysian Dravidian Association
36. Malaysian Hindu Youth Council
37. Malaysian Indian Business Association
38. Malaysian Indian Development Association
39. Malaysian Indian Historical Association
40. Malaysian Tamil Forum
41. Malaysian Voter Union (MALVU)
42. Muslim Professionals Forum
43. Penang Du Zhong Education Society
44. Penang Watch
45. Penggerak Belia Zon 23 MPSJ
46. Persahabatan Semparuthi
47. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
48. Persatuan Murid-murid Tua Sek. Serdang Bharu
49. Persatuan Penduduk Taman Muhibbah Seri Kembangan
50. Persatuan Prihatin Komuniti Selangor & KL
51. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
52. Sarawak Central Region Friendship Association
53. Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA)
54. Sarawak Native Land Rights Owners (TAHABAS)
55. Sarawakians Access (SACCESS)
56. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia
57. Service Civil International
58. Sisters in Islam
59. SOS(Save Ourselves), Penang
60. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)
61. The Micah Mandate (TMM)
62. Thiruvarul Thavaneri Mandram Malaysia
63. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
64. World Tamil Federation – Malaysian Chapter
65. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
66. Yayasan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Pendidikan Tamil Malaysia (Tamil Foundation)
67. Youth for Change (Y4C)

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA

(PERSEKUTUAN KRISTIAN MALAYSIA)

27th January 2010

CFM OUTRAGED BY CONTINUED VIOLATION OF SACRED PLACES

The Christian Federation of Malaysia is outraged that the violation of places of worship continues unabated as has happened this morning to two mosques along Jalan Klang Lama in Petaling Jaya.

We are angry that there are some who want to foment enmity and strife among Malaysians for political mileage or for mischief.    

These violent acts can divide Malaysians and so we call on all citizens not to fall into such a trap.  
We believe that the police will bring swiftly to justice the perpetrators who have done these evil intentioned acts. 

Let us be vigilant against all suspicious activities around all our places of worship and report such to the police. 

As Christians we continue to pray for the peace and well-being of our nation in these troubled moments.

Bishop Ng Moon Hing
Chairman and the Executive Committee
Christian Federation of Malaysia

For those who missed the recent Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia Roadshow, the video above gives some clips and feel of the event.  And the pictures below another window for the special moments we had together.

* * *

Upwards

Written by straits-mongrel

Sunday, 24 January 2010 22:53

TAGS:Events Malaysia|SABM|Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia|KL|Roadshow

BLOG UPDATES:

You can read the thoughts and opinions about the recent Klang Valley Roadshow at the following blogs.

• STEEST – The Colour of Blood
• Resonating Ripple – Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia roadshow – Taking back our country
• Sivin Kit’s Garden – Multi-Mosaic Malaysia: Living Together as Malaysians! Dancing Together as Humans? (You can also view the good Reverend’s slideshow there.)

If you have a posting, or know of one, do let us know.

There is a heartbeat in the Klang Valley. It is but a baby’s, but it is strong. We heard it Saturday afternoon – felt it – up in the nosebleed section of the KL-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

The grungy MCPA Hall on the top floor was filled to the brim with people of different age groups. There were songs, film, and drums. And messages we hope to share with all who want a better home.

Below are some snapshots of the SABM Klang Valley Roadshow.

"Eh, chuak lah saya," groans SABM’s Hasbee. The otherwise gungho Sarawakian steals a quiet moment to practise his song before the crowd showed up. And to think he wasn’t even on vocals.

Half-an-hour to go and the crowd builds up: Taylor’s College Canadian Pre-U program came with a 30-plus-strong group.

Friends from the local indie scene: Nik (right) and Meor opening the show with an acoustic set.

The founding of the nation: Fahmi Reza delving deeper than history textbooks would care to reveal. He talked about the formative period after World War 2 leading up to independence, paying special attention to the Putera-AMCJA coalition and its People’s Constitution.

Aman: Original composition by Rahmat Haron (right), backed up by Meor. There’s something about the no-frills dark walls that seem the perfect backdrop for the performers, indeed the entire event itself.

‘Chuak’ or not, it’s on: SABM’s DelCapo doing his own version of the timeless All Along The Watchtower with Hasbee (face hidden) and Adi.

Pulsating: Tugu Drum Circle getting more than just the heart pumping. The group brought all kinds of drums and percussions and invited the crowd to join in.

Soloist: Amazing how this boy, his hands a blur, could make a rumble feel so sweet.

Human beings, all born free and equal: Jahaberdeen covering facts from the UNDHR, and faith from the Islamic perspective.

…and Rev Sivin Kit does the same with the other faiths in Malaysia. Bottom line: God doesn’t discriminate, so why should we?

His articulate self: Lawyer Azahar Harun, better known to the internet-enabled as Art, clearing some of the misconceptions about the Federal Constitution. He covered the hot issues of Islam as the official religion of the federation, and the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak.

Nation in distress? Did we let it happen?: Lighter moment shared between Haris and Sivin. It hardly remained in this tone as Haris started tearing into the records of wimpy nation-building and, the core of it all, personal responsibility.

The slide says it: Jaya closing with the final message for the evening. A dialogue session took place right after with the panelists and the audience.

For those who came, we thank you. It couldn’t have been easy staying attentive for the whole afternoon, and yet you did. There were many who helped behind the scenes – the performers and guest speakers, GMI for their Anti-ISA exhibition, voter registrars, the four from the kebun, Frinjan, Malaysiakini and Malaysia Today for their kind publicity. Six from ABM-Selatan (Johor-Singapore) drove up all the way to attend the Roadshow. That’s Believe for you.

This baby will grow. Its heartbeat will get stronger. And with that, so will this nation. Together, let’s  mind it, nurse it well.

p.s. Ipoh, you’re next!

* * *

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) MEDIA RELEASE  27.01.2010

DON’T LET THE PROVOCATEURS SUCCEED

We refer to our media release of January 22 2010 in which we declared that "any violence on a place of worship and prayer of any religion (is) a sin of the highest order."

It is disappointing that such sins continue unabated.

The latest incidents today at the two mosques along Jalan Kelang Lama, Kuala Lumpur demonstrate how sick perpetrators of such acts can be and to what extent they are willing to go to cause hurt and harm to religious communities. Their end is to drive a wedge between religious communities in the country.

We who are law-abiding citizens must not allow them to succeed in their wicked mission.

Let us not speculate about the identities of the culprits until the police and the courts have done their work. Let us stand together and resist such people.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism condoles with Muslims, Christians and Sikhs whose places of worship and prayer have been so rudely desecrated.

May God protect us and the country from evil-doers.

Rev. Dr Thomas Philips,

MCCBCHST President

I had a great time at the SABM Roadshow KL last Saturday. Unfortunately due to time constraint I had to move through my presentation with a little rush, and didn’t manage show my closing video to tie the whole talk to our common humanity. 

Some might feel uncomfortable with the term “Pluralism” (because of the wrong impression that all religions are the same without appreciating their distinctive) and prefer “plurality” (which merely acknowledges the plural nature of our society without trying to theologically melt everyone together).

I’m exploring the idea for future presentations to coin this term Multi-Mosaic Malaysia in the sense that each faith community can find commonalities with one another while being enriched by each others uniqueness!  In short, differences doesn’t have to divide, and we’re not a melting pot where we lose our identities for some vague homogeneity!

I’ll work on that in the next round.  For now thanks to technology below is my Prezi for the talk  as it was shared (inclusive of the video but minus the tone of my voice & the complementary stories plus reflections!), but I think it may spur some thought nonetheless.