KUCHING: Malaysia is still a moderate country even though voices of extremism do spring up once in a while.
Assistant Youth Development Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said as such the people should view the whole situation objectively.
“We need not be alarmed as those that got agitated and those that started barking here and there are those who have ulterior motives … mostly to get some publicity.
“Some of them may want to become champion, while others may feel good seeing their name in the newspapers,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, said this when commenting on the recent seizure of Bibles by Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and the prohibition of Christians in Selangor to use the word ‘Allah’ in church services.
“Generally, Malaysians are very down to earth, and we respect each others’ culture and religion. Somehow at times, the different cultures and beliefs crossed path because of inter-marriages or conversion, and we have been able to address it nicely.”
He added that the ‘Kalimah Allah’ issue was actually a non-issue, adding it was up to the believers how they wanted to address their God.
“Whether you want to call your God as Allah, God, Kudus, John or Ali, it is up to you.
“Somehow, when some people start getting paranoid and say that ‘Allah’ is exclusive for themselves for reason only known to themselves, then we face this problem.”
Abdul Karim hoped Muslims and Christians alike would exercise restraint and not get overboard in addressing these problems.
“Criticise you may, but don’t be extreme in your views and action. Muslims should open up.”
Abdul Karim said he was proud that many wanted to use the word ‘Allah’ as their God because when he took up Bible study as a subject in Form Five Senior Cambridge Examination in 1977, never had he came across ‘Allah’ being use as referral for the Christian God.
“If the Christian want to use it now, I would say ‘alhamdulillah’. Muslims should not get agitated and angry.”
Meanwhile, Ba’Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian, when contacted, said the two incidence showed that the country’s leaders were inconsistent and, therefore, perceived as weak and insincere by the international community.
“It also shows that religious groups in Malaysia cannot be controlled and checked by the government, and we are indeed sliding very fast down the slippery road of extremism.
“Besides that, it shows that our leaders don’t and cannot walk the talk.”