The Cow-Head Lesson for Merdeka: Delegitimize Violence and Hatred

Apologies for being later with this.  I was caught up with church matters. But, it’s painful to watch what happened before Merdeka Day. Watch the youtube video below. Note: There might be images which some would find disturbing and offensive! I spoke to my friends from COMPLETE,  Muslim Professional Forum (MPF) and Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) and they were disgusted by this total misrepresentation what Islam stands for. This is even more outrageous, especially in this month of Ramadhan!

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism & Taoism (MCCBCHST) quickly came up with Cow Head Incident: MCCBCHST Calls For Calm And Understanding to respond.

I’ve signed The Cow-Head Lesson for Merdeka: Delegitimize Violence and Hatred Petition. It’s one statement that shows how we can bridge across so called “divisions” and stand united on more cruicial common concerns. I’m encouraged to see from the Christian community The Micah Mandate, Friends in Conversation & Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) Youth stood in solidarity with other religious groups & NGOs endorsing the statement. Join us!

To:  All Malaysians

We fully endorse the following Civil Society Joint Merdeka Message and urge YOU to reject violence and hatred, as shown in the 2009-08-28 cow-head protest in Shah Alam.

Kami menyokong sepenuhnya Perutusan Bersama Masyarakat Madani Sempena Kemerdekaan dan menyeru ANDA supaya menolak keganasan dan kebencian, seperti yang ditonjolkan dalam bantahan “kepala lembu” yang berlaku pada 2009-08-28 di Shah Alam.

———–
Perutusan Bersama Masyarakat Madani Sempena Kemerdekaan (dwi-bahasa)
Civil Society Joint Merdeka Message (bilingual)
2009-08-30

***Malay Version
Pengajaran Tentang Erti Sebenar Kemerdekaan Berhubung Kes “Kepala Lembu”: Penentangan Terhadap Keganasan dan Kebencian.

Kami, organisasi masyarakat madani yang tertera di bawah berasa amat terkejut, sedih dan kecewa dengan “protes kepala lembu” yang berlaku di Shah Alam pada hari Jumaat yang lalu, 28 Ogos 09, kerana menentang pembinaan kuil Hindu di Seksyen 23 bandaraya tersebut. Perbuatan mengusung kepala lembu yang baru di sembelih, seekor haiwan yang dianggap suci oleh masyarakat Hindu, serta ancaman tersirat pertumpahan darah disebalik perbuatan tersebut di saat hampir menjelang sambutan Kemerdekaan menuntut setiap rakyat Malaysia untuk memikirkan semula tentang erti dan nilai sebenar 52 tahun kemerdekaan serta seruan terhadap konsep Satu Malaysia.
Pertama sekali, perbuatan keji yang telah dilakukan oleh beberapa individu yang tidak bertanggung-jawab TIDAK HARUS sama sekali dilihat sebagai pertembungan diantara dua agama atau dua komuniti agama. Setiap kepercayaan dan agama, termasuklah Islam dan Hindu, menjunjung tinggi nilai kedamaian dan martabat kemanusiaan sebagai nilai-nilai asas lagi berunsur sejagat. Nilai keagamaan dan cinta akan kemanusiaan mewajibkan kita untuk meneruskan perjuangan mencari kedamaian serta melahirkan bantahan dan tentangan kita terhadap segala bentuk kebencian dan perantakan.

Insiden yang berlaku di Shah Alam membuktikan bahawa perlakuan ganas dan ancaman kebencian masih belum mampu ditangani di dalam masyarakat kita. Kami menyeru kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia untuk bersatu dalam usaha bersama kami bagi menolak segala bentuk keganasan dan kebencian demi menghalang sebarang individu mahupun kumpulan yang memilih sikap intimidasi ataupun provokatif apabila berhadapan dengan permasalahan perancangan bandar ataupun apa-apa bentuk pertelingkahan yang sedemikian rupa.

Kami, seperti yang tertera di bawah, setelah mengambil kira perkara-perkara yang tertera di atas, dengan ini:

1. MENDESAK supaya segala bentuk pertelingkahan di dalam sesebuah masyarakat haruslah ditangani secara aman seperti demonstrasi secara aman, dialog secara rasional, perbincangan secara menyeluruh dan proses tindakan guaman menurut saluran perundangan. Cadangan oleh pihak kerajaan Negeri Selangor untuk menganjurkan perjumpaan Dewan Bandaraya demi memudahkan komunikasi dan perbincangan dengan kesemua pihak yang terbabit amatlah kami sanjungi.

2. MENGUTUK dengan sekeras-kerasnya segala bentuk perbuatan yang bersifat menghina atau mengugut mana-mana komuniti bangsa ataupun agama sepertimana yang berlaku di dalam hal ini berkaitan perbuatan mempamerkan kepala lembu yang sungguh tidak bertanggung-jawab dan di luar batas keagamaan. Di dalam insiden yang berlaku di Shah Alam, bukan sahaja masyarakat Hindu yang dimalukan, tetapi juga turut melibatkan seluruh masyarakat Malaysia – Islam, Buddha, Hindu, Kristian, Sikh, agama-agama tradisi dan atheis. Kami kesemuanya berkongsi kesedihan dan kemurungan yang dialami oleh masyarakat Hindu di Shah Alam.

3. MENDESAK kesemua badan agama, para pemimpin masyarakat dan parti-parti politik untuk mengutuk tindakan keji kumpulan yang bertanggung-jawab terhadap perbuatan mempamerkan “Kepala Lembu” tersebut. Setiap fanatik bangsa dan agama haruslah dipinggirkan daripada masyarakat terutamanya oleh kumpulan bangsa dan agama yang kononnya di wakili oleh mereka sendiri. Parti-parti politik seharusnya mengambil tindakan disiplin terhadap ahli mereka yang bertanggung-jawab menyemai perasaan kebencian. Dengan sedemikian, ia dapat menghalang mereka daripada mendapat pujian dan sanjungan ekoran tindakan lagak seperti “pejuang” dan “penegak kebenaran”. Hukuman berdasarkan perundangan sahaja mungkin tidak memadai kerana ia mungkin menjadi modal mereka yang terlibat dengan menganggapnya sebagai “ganjaran syahid” yang dijanjikan Tuhan.

4. MENYOKONG penyiasatan secara menyeluruh terhadap mereka yang terlibat dengan protes “Kepala Lembu” di atas perbuatan mengancam secara kekerasan komuniti Hindu dan Kerajaan Negeri Selangor yang telah dilantik secara sah. Ancaman keganasan atas sebab apa sekalipun tidak ada tempat di dalam sebuah masyarakat madani. Keganasan mesti dikutuk dan hanya akan dapat ditangani sekiranya masyarakat mempunyai sikap tanpa tolak ansur terhadap perbuatan tersebut dan setiap yang didapati bersalah dalam perkara ini dikenakan hukuman yang setimpal.

5. MELAHIRKAN rasa kesal dan hairan di atas kegagalan pihak polis menghalang para penunjuk perasaan daripada menyatakan ancaman pertumpahan darah. Suatu penyiasatan yang bersifat berkecuali harus disegerakan untuk menyiasat kecuaian professional yang boleh mengakibatkan tercetusnya krisis antara ras dan agama. Insiden ini antara lain telah menunjukkan betapa penting dan segeranya keperluan kepada penubuhan Suruhanjaya Penyiasatan Aduan dan Salah-laku Polis (IPCMC). Suruhanjaya ini merupakan suatu kemestian sekiranya pihak pentadbiran Najib benar-benar komited kepada keamanan di Malaysia.

6. MENYERU kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia supaya merasa peka dengan seruan kami untuk menentang segala bentuk keganasan dan kebencian dan berjuang ke arah penghapusannya dalam kehidupan kita semua. Biarlah hal ini menjadi pernyataan kita bersama sempena merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan kita. Marilah kita bersama-sama memupuk di dalam Negara Malaysia yang satu bahawa kita cintakan nilai-nilai keamanan, kewarasan, keadilan, kebebasan, kesamarataan dan kebersamaan bagi kesemua rakyat Malaysia.

***English version

The Cow-Head Lesson for Merdeka: Delegitimize Violence and Hatred
We, the undersigned civil society organizations are shocked, angered and saddened by the “Cow-Head protest” in Shah Alam last Friday, 28 August 09, against a proposed Hindu temple in Section 23 of the city. The carrying of the head of a freshly slaughtered cow, a sacred animal to the Hindus, and the unveiled threat of bloodshed on the eve of Merdeka celebration suggests that all Malaysians need to reflect deeply about our 52 years of nationhood, and the clarion call of 1Malaysia.

From the outset, these heinous acts of crime perpetrated by the irresponsible few must NEVER be seen as a conflict between the two faiths or the two faith communities. All major spiritual traditions, Islam and Hinduism included, uphold peace and human dignity as their common and core values. Our spirituality and love for humanity mandates us for the perpetual quest for peace and abhorrence of all forms of hatred and civil disorder.

The Shah Alam incident sadly reveals that violence and hatred are still inadequately delegitimized in our society. We exhort all Malaysians to unite in our joint efforts to decry and delegitimize violence and hatred to prevent any individual or grouping from resorting to intimidation and provocation when faced with any town-planning disputes or rows of similar nature.

We the undersigned, taking cognizance of the above, do hereby:

1. URGE that all disputes in civil society must be resolved through peaceful means such as peaceful demonstrations, rational dialogues, extensive consultations and legal suits. The Selangor State Government’s plan to hold a town hall meeting to facilitate communication and engagement with all stakeholders is highly commendable.

2. CONDEMN in the strongest possible language any act to humiliate and intimidate any ethno-religious community, in this case the irreligious and irresponsible display of a cow head. In Shah Alam incident, not only the Hindus are humiliated and hurt but also all thinking Malaysians – Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh, those of other spiritual traditions and atheist. We particularly share the pain and anguish of the Shah Alam Hindu community.

3. URGE all religious authorities, community leaders and political parties to unreservedly condemn the perpetrators of the reprehensible “Cow-Head” act. Every racial and religious bigot should be shamed and distanced by the general public especially by their ethno-religious community, which they seek to represent. Political parties must also take disciplinary action against members involved in inciting hatred. This would deprive them the pleasure and gratification of self-righteousness and heroism. Legal punishment alone may prove inadequate because it may instead grant the offenders the self-perceived honour of martyrdom.

4. SUPPORT a thorough investigation of those responsible for the “Cow-Head” protest for threatening violence (not sedition) on both the local Hindu community and the elected State Government of Selangor. Threats of violence, for whatever reason; has no place in civilized society. Violence must be condemned and can only be completely delegitimized when society has zero tolerance for it and every offender is appropriately punished.

5. EXPRESS shock and dismay at the failure of the police force to stop the protestors from issuing their threats of bloodshed. An independent investigation on professional negligence should be immediately initiated to examine these policing failures of a potentially fulminating racial and religious crisis. This incident among others further highlights the dire importance and urgent need for an Independent Police Complaint and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). The IPCMC is a must if the Najib Administration is genuinely committed to peace in Malaysia.

6. CALL on all Malaysians to heed our plea to completely delegitimize violence and hatred and to strive towards its elimination from our public life. Let this be our joint resolution for our nation’s forthcoming Merdeka anniversary. Let us usher in a Malaysia, which cherishes the values of peace, reason, justice, freedom, equity and inclusion for all Malaysians.

***62 kumpulan yang menandatangani/62 signatory groups (sehingga/as at 20090831, 1400)

1. 1BLACKMalaysia Facebook Group
2. All Women’s Action Society Malaysia (AWAM)
3. Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)
4. Civil Rights Committee, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly
Hall (CRC-KLSCAH)
5. Civil Society Committee, LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLGCSC)
6. Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)
7. Coalition of Malaysian NGOs Against Persecution of Palestinians (COMPLETE)
8. Coalition of Selangor Indian NGOs
9. Consumer Association of Klang
10. Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) Youth
11. Council of Malaysia Indian Trustee
12. Durham Malaysian Scholars (DMS)
13. Friends in Conversation (FIC)
14. Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)
15. Hindu Youth Organization, Port Klang
16. Human Development and Research Centre
17. Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM)
18. Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)
19. Justice for Beng Hock Facebook Group
20. Kelab Sukan Depot Port Klang
21. Klang Vellarun Kalai Pannai
22. Letchumi Pooja Dhana Manbran Klang
23. Majlis Kelab Belia Tamil Selangor
24. Malaysia Belia Hindu Negeri Selangor
25. Malaysia Hindu Sangam Klang Council
26. Malaysia Hindu Sangam Selangor State Council
27. Malaysia Indian Youth Council Selangor
28. Malaysian AIDS Council
29. Malaysian Hindu Dharma Mamandram Selangor
30. Malaysian Social Research Institute (MSRI)
31. Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)
32. Nadaraikia Sangam Selangor
33. Palestine Centre of Excellence (PACE)
34. Pamban Swami Maha Teja Mandala Sabai
35. People’s Parliament
36. Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM (Lihua) Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur
37. Persatuan Kebajikan Bharathana Selangor
38. Persatuan Kebajikan Cahaya Wawasan Selangor
39. Persatuan Kebajikan Nammakkal
40. Persatuan Kebajikan Vanniar
41. Persatuan Kemajuan Pendidikan Malaysia
42. Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
43. Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (Permas)
44. Persatuan Pembaca Tamil Klang
45. Persatuan Peniaga Little India Klang
46. Persatuan Penyelidikan Astronomi Selangor
47. Persatuan Prihatin Belia Malaysia
48. Persatuan Thiruvallavar
49. Persatuan Wawasan India Selangor
50. Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)
51. Pertubuhan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian India Selangor
52. Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hari Krishna Klang
53. Pusat Komas
54. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)
55. Selangor Indian Videographers Association
56. Sri Vadivelu Culture and Welfare Association Selangor
57. Sri Vaishnava Paribalana Saba
58. Suara Raykat Malaysia (SUARAM)
59. The Divine Life Society Port Klang
60. The Micah Mandate (TMM)
61. Vishnu Periyaval Sabai
62. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)