Badawi: "Muslims who want to convert to other faiths should be allowed to do so"

We recently uncovered an article published by the Today paper, a Singapore publication on a very surprising statement made by the PM. Strangely, this was not carried in the local Malaysian newspapers.

Has the local media boycotted this important statement made by the Prime Minister? Why else was something as important and sensitive as this not carried in the local media? Or was it too much against the grain of further enforcing Malaysia's "new" Islamic State status?

But this statement by the PM is a significant milestone for the nation and should be made known to the nation and made into policy. There are so many extremists in prominent government positions, and this clarion call for moderation and sensibility is something that needs to be heard by all. Perhaps it will breathe new hope into the hearts and minds of the non-Muslims of Malaysia.

But the question is, why was it never carried in the local media? To us, it is obvious that this was not something that was in line with the so called "mainstream" UMNO view.

UMNO leaders, Religious Departments, read this and understand it well, this is the voice of moderation. Heed in his footsteps and take the balanced and fair approach. People are entitled to make their own choices in what they believe - it is every individuals birthright!

Read on... Badawi's brief statement says a lot.


July 10, 2007
Allow Muslims to convert if they choose to: PM Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has said that those who want to leave Islam should be counselled by the religious authorities, and, if they still choose to convert, they should be allowed to do so.

Mr Abdullah made it clear later that he was making these comments in his personal capacity.
"Religious officials should be ready to listen to the problems of those people who want to leave the religion. They should not torture them but they should counsel them," said Mr Abdullah, speaking to reporters after opening an Islamic conference in Putrajaya.

Asked about the growing number of religious disputes dominating news headlines, the Prime Minister proposed that Muslims who want to convert to other faiths should be allowed to do so.
"This is not something that cannot be done. For those who don't want to be Muslims anymore, what can you do? If they want to leave the religion, what are you going to do? You might as well let them go."

Under Sharia or Islamic law in Malaysia, it is the duty of religious authorities to determine whether a Muslim can leave the religion or not.

Just last week, a 29-year-old Indian woman who wanted to renounce Islam was released from a rehabilitation centre run by the state's Islamic authorities. Ms Revathi Masoosai (picture), also known as Siti Fatimah, has said her mother was a Hindu and her father a Christian, but both subsequently converted to Islam, AFP reported. She told reporters she had been ill-treated while at the centre. She was separated from her Hindu husband and 18-month-old daughter for six months.

Ms Revathi had expected her bid to be a Hindu to be approved after her period of detention. — Channel NewsAsia
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/199167.asp

Islamic Department Religious Officers Harrassing Innocents

Women's rights in Malaysia are fast being diminished. Would you or anyone else consider the lady pictured below "exposing her body"? Siti Noor Idayu Abd Moin (pic), 22, was singing at an entertainment outlet in Sunway City, Ipoh when Religious Officers from JAIP raided the place.

Firstly, it's obvious that the lady is not "exposing" her body. To think that wearing long pants and a sleeveless top is indecent exposure is absurd. Frankly, she appears to be dressed normally and much unlike performers in most other countries where they wear gowns with plunging necklines and body hugging clothes.

But really, is that bad? Why would people say that it's a bad thing to see the outline of a woman's body? Islamic Religious Officers in Malaysia seem to think so. They say it's "lucah" or pronographic. There are those who say that a woman who doesn't wear a "tudung" or headscarf is also "lucah". The only reason why it's pornographic to them is because they have unclean thoughts, uncontrollable lust and desire for what they cannot have. Because of this most Muslims believe that it's better to keep the women covered up so that the men are not tempted.

What utter nonsense, if the men have a problem, they should confine it to themselves, learn to see things differently or if it's that hard, just castrate themselves.

So, in Siti's case, even more offensive and greater intrusions were made. The officers called her IC (Identification Card) "Najis" or Shit (as in Biological Waste) and refused to touch it! Isn't that amazing! The newspaper has quoted it as unclean, but Najis really means Shit.

They were then put in a small room where the officers sadistically turned down the temperature and the officers said "let them freeze". Isn't that quite inhuman? And against people's basic human rights?

Siti was also detained overnight until 10am the next morning and had to suffer the intrusion of the male Religious Officers constantly photographing her. Perhaps they haven't seen a pretty woman before and because they are so used to seeing women wrap themselves up, this is something new to them. Perhaps they will use those pictures to "relieve" themselves later on.

The officers were also scheming to frame her for alcohol consumption, as per her observation of them being disappointed when her test returned a negative and the objection of one officer.

Further to that, JAIP director Datuk Jamry Sury said he was confident that his officers had not acted outside of their jurisdiction in issuing the notice. And said “According to Islamic laws, a Muslim woman is not allowed to serve or entertain a man who is not her husband in a place where immoral activities usually take place,” he said.

How on earth is Sunway City an immoral place.? Is this man out of his mind? It's obvious that he knows nothing of the world and what immoral is. Besides, the lady was singing in a public place in front of men and women and possibly children. So saying she was entertaining men suggests that she was in a strip club doing lap dances, which is hardly the case. Sunway City should file an injunction against this man and his department because what he suggests promotes a negative image of the company and can bring about a potential loss of business.

It is this sort of stupidity that is brought about by poorly educated people who are unable to get jobs in the private sector fresh out of the local Malaysian Universities. At which point, our government says, we must hire them so that they have jobs. Thereby increasing the number of civil servants and costing the taxpayers more money year on year. Mostly and sadly, Malay, who are given preferential treatment in exams from Form 5 through their varsity years. This had bred the stupidity as exemplified by such actions.

In the words of YB Minister in the PM's Department - Nazri,"Bodoh, Bodoh, Bodoh".

So, this is what our tax money goes to. Little bastard Hitlers who impose their brand of Islam upon us, who intimidate us and we pay their salaries and bonuses. I say, the BN and federal government should either sack them or we should remove the BN from power. Many of us thought that because we vote for BN, we save ourselves from PAS, but over time, it's becoming more apparent that BN leads a government and government organisations that are intolerant, backward and filled with Malay Ultras and Islamic Extremists.

So, why should moderate Malays and minority races vote for BN? What is the incentive now?

Sure, the Federal Government will now announce that there are overzealous officers who are just executing their duties.

We say not.

This is harrassment, infringement of human rights, bigotry (gender biased) and improper. In which part of the law does it state that Religious Department officers can detain people overnight, and if so, for what reasons? For wearing a sleeveless blouse? Also, in which part of the JAIS procedure manual (if one does exist) does it state that officers can go about harrassing the detainee by photographing her? Also, in where are the procedures and guidelines that ensure that detainees are properly treated and the handling officers remain true to the cause and not become part of the problem?

No more excuses BN leaders. You either take responsibility and shape up or we, the people, will ship you out!

There have been problems with the bastard Hitlers of the Islamic Departments for a very long time now. People are stopped in the streets just for holding hands and kissing. Aged foreigners have had their rooms intruded into by such officers who in one case accused them of "Khalwat" or close proximity.

Malaysia is fast becoming like the Arabs they adore so much. Soon, we will be living in a South East Asian Saudi.

Since the government is not doing much to change this, perhaps it's time to change the government. But we all know that people will still vote for BN. By voting the opposition, we ensure that there are voices that will speak for us as well and we will give them a bigger voice in parliament.

The aim for this election is to REDUCE the BN Majority in Parliament, in the hope for a better Malaysia and hopefully, this will help teach certain government leaders like Khairi, Nazri and their close associates that there is no place in the people's hearts for extremists or ignorance.

The Article:

The Star
Singer held over dressing

IPOH: The Perak Religious Department (JAIP) has ordered a singer to appear before the Syariah Court for “exposing her body” during a performance and “encouraging immoral activities”.

However, an indignant Siti Noor Idayu Abd Moin, 22, said she was wearing a sleeveless top and long pants when JAIP officers raided an entertainment outlet in Sunway City where she was performing on Tuesday.

“Our band had just finished and it was a little past midnight when they came in and rounded up all the Muslims.

“They asked to see our MyKad but one officer refused to touch the cards, referring to them as najis (unclean),” she said.

Siti Noor Idayu said the JAIP officers later detained seven people, including four employees of the outlet, and brought them to the department office.

“They put us in a tiny room and turned up the air-conditioner. I heard one officer tell the other: Bekulah dia orang (Let them freeze),” she said.

Siti Noor Idayu also said the male officers kept taking photographs of her, adding that she was made to stay overnight in that room until 10am.

She said the officer who finally came to record her statement at 8am, accused her of consuming alcohol and drugs, being involved in immoral activities, and that her MyKad was a fake.

“I took the breathalyser test twice and when the reading remained at zero, the officers looked frustrated.

“I heard one tell the other: Tapi dia tak minum lah (But she did not drink),” she said.
Siti Noor Idayu said an officer even told her that the money she earned working in the outlet was duit haram (illicit money) and that her parents, children and future generations would all be tainted for using such money.

“They finally wrote me a notice accusing me of dressing sexily and encouraging immorality just because I sang there,” she said.

The notice ordered her to appear before the Syariah Court here on Aug 6.

When contacted, JAIP director Datuk Jamry Sury said he was confident that his officers had not acted outside of their jurisdiction in issuing the notice.

“According to Islamic laws, a Muslim woman is not allowed to serve or entertain a man who is not her husband in a place where immoral activities usually take place,” he said.

Freedom of Religion in Malaysia - A Fallacy

It's our constitutional right to enjoy our freedom to practice our and worship as we like. But yet, there are people in our government and authorities who by their abuse of authority and narrow minded-ness , do their earnest best to prevent the proliferation of any other religion but Islam.

The following articles extracted from The Star are examples and of such injustice. One may read them and feel, well, they are going to sort out their problems. There are parties that seem to want to resolve this amicably. True. By saying resolve, they mean; stalling the project and insisting on their way forward for the perceived benefit of their religion and narrow beliefs.

In this case, I would ultimately like to see the project continue and the authorities see the value of it, as well as educating the objecting parties that we live in a multiracial and multireligious country and this is part of learning to live together.

What does a mosque and a Taoist statue, in "close proximity" symbolise? It symbolises the hormony between religions, races and the people. That at least 2 religions can co-exist without conflict. It symbolises to the Chinese and Buddhists that the government is also sincere in their attempts to break the segregating barriers between races and that the will of our Malay Ministers and Muslim countrymen will not be imposed upon us. In doing this, other people of other religious faiths will also take this as a beacon of hope.

But you see, the issue is not really the proximity of mosque and statue, it's the height of the statue. Apparently, in the attempt to build the Catholic Church in Shah Alam (which was later retracted by the Selangor State Government), the architechts were told that the highest part of the Church should be no taller than the tallest mosque in the area. Though no explanation is given, the perception is that certain people feel that Islam's superiority over other religions is denoted by the lower rooftops of the other religious buildings.

Malaysia, in its early days did not have such issues and the government didn't impose such things until the 80s or thereabouts. Taking this matter to another level, Churches are not allowed to be built even if the parish has money to do so. However, mosques are built everywhere on the basis that there should be 1 mosque per every 3-400 muslims. Better still, the public thru taxes pay for the building of these mosques, regardless if they are non-Muslim. How unfair is that? Further to that, based on the mosque quota above, the time has arrived where there are so many, that the "location is important" said by Tan Sri Hamid will no longer be possible for other religious sites. This is evident today where there are so many mosques around, many which are marble clad and gigantic, paid for by ALL Malaysian Citizens, while Christians and Buddhists have to resort to preaching and worshipping in little shophouses.

Many people whom I have spoken to say that we shouldn't rock the boat and should be thankful that this government even allows us to practice our faiths in a small way. We are thankful for the leeway we are given.

But I ask why?

Why should I pay for a mosque and not even get a temple or church in exchange? Isn't this a violoation of my religious rights, my constutional rights and my human rights?

It is the job of the government to ensure that quarters that object in such situations are put to rest and managed. Instead, they are supporting them.

Clearly if this is the case, then perhaps this is another reason why I should take my chances with the opposition.

Malaysia in its early days, was a place where

‘Leave Ma Tzu out of politics’

KOTA KINABALU:The Buddhist Foundation said the issue arising from the construction of the Ma Tzu Goddess of the Sea statue in Kudat should not be turned into a political issue.

Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat resigned as deputy chief minister. The foundation’s Sabah and Labuan chairman Tsen Nyuk Vun hoped the state government and the Kudat Ma Tzu Foundation would arrive at an amicable solution.

Work on the 27-metre statue was stopped following objections from several organisations that it was located too close to the district mosque.

The decision prompted Tanjung Kapor assemblyman Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat, who mooted its construction, to resign as deputy chief minister and tourism, culture and environment minister.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had on Monday revealed that the state government had offered an alternative site for the statue and agreed to compensate the costs incurred so far.

Tsen was among 50 religious leaders who met with Musa at his office on Monday.

During the meeting, Musa explained that he had never objected to the project and that the stop-work order had nothing to do with curtailing religious freedom.

"We sincerely hope the state government and the Kudat Ma Tzu Foundation will seek an amicable solution on the matter," Tsen said in a statement on behalf of 10 Buddhist bodies in Sabah and Labuan.

He said they were happy with the chief minister’s reassurance of freedom of religion as guaranteed in the Federal Constitution.

"We should encourage the peaceful coexistence of different religions to promote mutual respect, understanding and harmony to build a better society in Sabah and in Malaysia as a whole," he added.

Be more sensitive to religious issues, leaders told

PUTRAJAYA: Political leaders, regardless of the parties they represent, must remain sensitive to religious issues, no matter how trivial.

Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Othman, religious adviser to the prime minister, said such issues must never be politicised as this could disrupt peace and stability."There must be alternatives and solutions to every problem. "As political party leaders, they must refrain from making statements that can lead to provocation or anger. "They must be tolerant of each other and seek solutions that will ensure the continued religious and ethnic coexistence among all the races," he added. Hamid was referring to the controversy over the Ma Tzu Goddess of the Sea statue in Kudat, which had resulted in the resignation of Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat as the Sabah deputy chief minister.

Chong wanted the 27-metre statue to be built, but Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had ordered the work to be stopped. Musa said the decision to stop the construction followed objections from other quarters.

During a meeting with 50 Christian, Buddhist and Taoist leaders, Musa said the United Sabah Islamic Association, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia, Persatuan Belia Intelek Kudat, Kudat As-Syakirin mosque committee and Umno Kudat were unhappy with the site for the statue. They objected because the statue was being built too close to the district mosque. Musa said the state government had offered an alternative site for the statue and agreed to pay compensation for the cost incurred. He accused Chong of trying to politicise the issue, adding that the original site of the statue had been given to a shipping company to put up a building.

Hamid said constructing places of worship for all races had never been a problem. "It is not an issue at all, but the location matters."So, it becomes the responsibility of all quarters and the leaders to find a suitable site that will not create problems for someone else. "Sensitivity of the location must never be overlooked," he said.