Najib - chide Perkasa, Jati? Forget it, he won't do a thing - Jui Meng

The latest bout of self-serving Christian bashing from extremist groups such as Perkasa and Jati are nothing new and those who expect Prime Minister Najib Razak to offer an opinion or to merely do his job - which is to show some leadership - can expect to be severely disappointed.

"Is this new? Is it the worst attack ever? I think we have gone through even worst in recent years when even churches were burned down. We have to accept the fact that unless Malaysians react more strongly, Najib is just going to sit still and do nothing. He and UMNO-BN have just won another 5-year mandate, do you think they are worried," PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng toldMalaysia Chronicle.

"Of course, the behavior of Perkasa and Jati needs to be condemned but do you think they are bothered. In fact, the more publicity they squeeze, the more happy they are. If there were no issues, they would face irrelevance. So this 'deja-vu' is what we have been trying to warn Malaysians about. We are looking at the next 5 years the same as the previous 5 years - stagnant, filled with racism, religious bigotry and hot air."

Will the world see Malaysia through the likes of Ibrahim Ali & Hasan Ali

Umno-backed Malay-rights group Perkasa and Muslim rights group Jati had demanded that the Najib administration kick out the Vatican’s envoy Archbishop Joseph Marino if the latter does not withdraw his support for the local church’s campaign to use the word Allah to describe God. They also demanded that he issue a public apology within seven days.

However, Marino is no naive priest but a well-respected Church leader well-versed in international politics and diplomacy. With all due respect, the likes of Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali and Jati chief Hasan Ali would not be able to match him intellectually or hope to attain his world view.

Even so, Ibrahim Ali and Hasan Ali have home-ground advantage and excellent rabble-rousing skills. They also know they will not be arrested or held liable by Najib's government even if they stir up trouble as that would dent Najib's credentials as a Muslim leader with the hardline Islamists in this country.

"The eyes of the world are on Malaysia. If Najib allows Perkasa and Jati to get too extreme, Malaysia will become a laughing stock to the international community. We might even be downgraded to the level of an extremist country. Let's see how far Najib will let Perkasa and Jati go this time. It will be a sign of what Malaysians and international investors can expect from the Umno-BN government in the coming years - will it be more regression and deterioration?" said Jui Meng.

Double standards and hypocrisy

Former minister Bernard Dompok, a Christian, also condemned Perkasa and Jati. But he expressed confidence that sabre-rattling by Perkasa and Jati would not affect the relationship between Malaysia and the Vatican.

"To ask an ambassador to leave, that is just unbelievable. Groups in this country have also commented on what happens in other countries. I don't see what's wrong," said Dompok.

Dompok was referring to the extremist groups' accusation that Marino was "interfering" in Malaysia's internal affairs.

Said Catholic Bishop Paul Tan, “(Marino's comment) should not be seen as an interference in Malaysia’s internal affairs any more than the demand at some embassies in Kuala Lumpur recently that our government reject the goings-on in Egypt and Syria constitutes interference in those nations’ affairs."

Make a stand, Najib

Meanwhile, Council of Churches Malaysia president Bishop Philip Lok has demanded that Najib makes a stand on the matter, calling on the PM to do the “right thing and reject extremism”.

"We appreciate that two years ago the Prime Minister had established ties with the Vatican. He has worked hard for that. Does he want to jeopardise the good relationship that he has fostered with them over the years?" Philip was quoted as saying by the Malaysian Insider.

"He should put an end to this and not succumb to their demands. The people of Malaysia have had enough of this. They have been saying all sorts of things against the Christians, in particular. This is no different. But the Government is not seen to be taking any action against these people who have been causing religious tension in the country."

Malaysia Chronicle