Jais should not act like the Gestapo arm of Umno

Since when did the constitution allow an organisation to barge into a religious buiding (church, temple) and boss around in the name of protection of Islam? It is the tradition that a religious building is open to everyone who wishes to pray, to seek advice or just to seek solace and respite. There is no compulsion for a person to enter or to leave.

So why was JAIS so steamed up as to gate crash a social gathering in the Damansara Utara Methodist Church, just because a few Muslims were present and having a conversation with other friends?

Jais inspectors could have joined the gathering and participated in the discussions to find out what was is going on. they could have left quietly if satisfied it was a social gathering, and not a meeting to preach to muslims to convert them to a different faith.

So what was all the drama, action and fuss about? Why is there a phobia of Malay Muslims opting out of Islam? The cause of the phobia is the aim of Ketuanan Melayu which preaches that with Malay unity, Islam, the Malays will remain strong and powerful.

This Ketuanan policy has led to the misconception that Muslims and non-Muslims cannot meet together especially on non-Muslim premises. It is this narrow concept that has blocked the integration of the races in the country.

In contrast, the Buddhiara could mix easily with Christians, Hindus with Christians or Christians with Sikhs. Similarly, in Sarawak, the Dayaks, Melanaus, Kadazans, Chinese, and other races mix with each other freely. There is no phobia of proselytisation of Muslims by other religions.

UMNO should learn from the example of Indonesia, which is the second largest Muslim country in the world, but it has a per capital income of US$ 3033 which is much lower than in US$ 8030 of Malaysia. So, where is the rationale for UMNO to insist on a Ketuanan Melayu policy which will only keep most Malays poor like their counterparts in Indonesia.

Pakatan Rakyat has a Ketuanan Rakyat policy, which states that all Malaysians are equal. We stress on religious freedom, democracy , justice and transparency to unite the people of Malaysia, and become a country that is progressive, prosperous and successful.

- Chen Man Hin is the DAP life advisor