‘Christian community wants to be impartial’

0

PROBLEM SOLVING: Taib (right) shaking hands with one of the church leaders after the dialogue yesterday. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: The Right Reverend Datuk Bolly Lapok, chairman of the Association of Churches in Sarawak and Anglican Bishop of Sarawak and Brunei said yesterday that the Christians wanted to be impartial and they do not want to be involved in the works of the world but only that of God.

He said this after a closed door dialogue between the Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and church leaders at a hotel here.

He said that the churches seek the will of God, will be submissive to His will and stand firm on their biblical faith.

He also revealed that the churches have conveyed their impartial stand in matters relating to politics to both the ruling government and the opposition.

He added that it would all depend on the wisdom of the political parties in dealing with religious issues.

The Bishop said Taib had expressed during the dialogue that politics and religions should best be handled separately.

“He said if they are being handled together it is very easy to get abused and would cause unnecessary negative emotions to the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, when speaking to reporters after the dialogue, Taib said Barisan Nasional (BN), if returned to power after the election, will see how it can help the Christian community in whatever possible way it can.

“I had a dialogue with leaders of churches association and they explained to me some problems mainly about grants for schools and inability to expand some mission schools to cater for the demand of their own flock.

“The Christian parents said they cannot send their children to the same school that they went to because they cannot expand the school due to not enough money,” Taib said.

He said it was

something that would be considered and they will see how the state government can assist.

He said the association of churches will also be meeting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here today and the matter could be one of the questions they would put forward.

Asked whether the Bibles impoundment issue had also been discussed in yesterday’s dialogue, Taib said: “No, the matter had been solved so it’s okay. In fact it should not had risen in the first place, at least in the case of Sarawak”.