DAP's Ariffin denies 'spreading Christianity'

DAP national vice-chairperson Ariffin Omar is up in arms over allegations originating from his former employer that he was involved in spreading Christianity with the aim of setting up a church in a university.

Ariffin, who held a press conference in Penang today to clear his name, claimed that this “serious slander” came from Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM).

Ariffin (left) said that it was alleged in a memorandum that he received that a high-ranking individual within the university had made the claims during a meeting held some time at the end of October or early November last year.

“Among others, it was alleged that the UPNM has been infiltrated by the CIA and that the CIA is funding the research activities of some staff members,” he added.

Ariffin insisted that he was a Muslim and has not left his religion, denying that he had ever been involved in spreading Christianity anywhere, let alone the UPNM.

“These allegations made against me are nothing but lies aimed at discrediting me as well as other staff members of the university,” he said.

Ariffin said he had resigned from UPNM in January of his own free will when he was selected as the party’s vice-chief at the DAP’s 16th national congress internal polls in December.

He noted that the allegations are “malicious and aimed at tarnishing my image”, urging the authorities to launch a probe into the matter.

“I want to clear my name as well as the name of innocent staff members maligned by the vicious slander.”

Ariffin said he had received a copy of the memorandum in his email and mailbox last week.

'Secret meeting'

In the alleged memorandum distributed by Ariffin to the press, an individual alleged that a “secret meeting” was held between a high-ranking university official and several Malay heads of department between the end of October and early November last year.

During the meeting which was not minuted, the individual claimed that the university official alleged that there was an active Christian conspiracy to spread the religion among the university students and staff.

Other than the university official, those involved in the clandestine effort are several lecturers, including himself, whom Ariffin claims are “vocal and would often speak up against the shortcomings of the university”.

“The memo says that the university has been infiltrated by the CIA which is allegedly financing one of the academic researches,” Ariffin said, adding the individual is a well-known whistleblower within the university.

“The memo added that there was an effort to eliminate several lecturers with military background who are considered 7B (bodoh, bangang, bahlul, bengap, bongok, bengong and babi betul), which is why these staff members were not invited to the meeting,” said the father of three grown-up children.

Ariffin, 63, said he would be lodging a police report soon and urged the university authorities to probe the matter as the allegations are serious, which can undermine the credibility and dignity of those implicated, and instigate racial tension.