DISPLAY POLITICAL COURAGE OR STEP DOWN, MB Khalid has become an embarrassment to Pakatan

It was previously hinted, and was seemingly inevitable that the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) will decide to move its premises from Selangor, across the road to Kuala Lumpur. This was in response to the Al-Kitab seizure crisis. What is most disappointing however, isn’t the fact that BSM finally announced its decision to move yesterday, but the complete indifference of the Selangor state government.

The position of the state government is exemplified by the response of Selangor Menteri Besar over the BSM’s decision to move. Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had nonchalantly wished BSM “all the best”, as if such a move will magically vanish a pesky thorn in the government’s side.

Since the January raid conducted by Selangor Religious Authorities Department (JAIS), which reports to the Selangor Religious Council (MAIS) headed by the Sultan, the state government has issued various vague promises to help resolve the crisis. There was however, a distinct lack of urgency or pro-active responses to deliver an acceptable solution for all parties, or at the very least, defend the rights of the victims.

Khalid must realize it's an embarrassment to Pakatan Rakyat

BSM’s decision to move hence embarrassed not only the state government but also Pakatan Rakyat in our ability and sincerity in upholding the rights of minorities in a multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-religious Selangor and Malaysia.

Pakatan Rakyat’s position over the term “Allah” cannot be any clearer. The term can be used by other religions like Christianity and Sikhism – as it has been for centuries, but must not abused. In particular, the term shall not be abused for the purposes of propagation to Muslims, a position we respect as part of the Constitution.

The Selangor state government has clearly failed to uphold the Pakatan Rakyat’s stand on this issue. Despite welcome and encouraging statements given by Selangor executive councillor for Islamic affairs Sallehin Mukhyi in the state assembly 2 days ago, that “non-Muslims in Selangor can use the word "Allah" as long as they do not use it to propagate their religion to Muslims”, the law in Selangor it appears, does not reflect the above position.

Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim confirmed the contradiction when he said during the same interview on the BSM move, “I think you must understand as a state, we have the laws to follow. People must believe that we respect the law and we respect the rights of everybody.”

With all due respect, Tan Sri Khalid cannot be more wrong. There are good laws, and there are laws which leave plenty of room for improvement. It is the responsibility of any Pakatan Rakyat government to uphold good laws, while seeking to improve the laws which does not reflect the position of the coalition, or the interest of the rakyat.

For example, the Internal Security Act and Sedition Act are clearly bad laws, which Pakatan Rakyat leaders have fought steadfastly over the past decades to their own personal detriment. As righteous leaders with strong moral convictions, we cannot concede to bad laws which victimise the innocent and rob Malaysians of their basic rights.

There can be no bigger insult to the injury Pakatan Rakyat suffered when BSM President Mr Lee Min Choon justified that move by claiming that “Putrajaya offers better protection to religious minorities”.

Display political courage or step down

We may know the irony of course, that the UMNO-led government offers no protection to religious minorities. It was after all the UMNO-Barisan Nasional (BN) government which passed the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment in 1988. Lest we forget, it is the current BN Federal Government which is zealously attempting to ban the absolute use of the term “Allah” by non-Muslims via the Courts at all costs.

The Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib Razak himself pledged to defend the “exclusive right of Muslims” to use the term “Allah” in his Maal Hijrah message in November last year. We even have the current Home Minister, Dato’ Zahid Hamidi upholding the decision of the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar not to take action against the Muslim covert who abducted his son from the mother, defying a custody order from the civil High Court.

However, BN’s abject failure in defending the rights of the minorities should not be an excuse for the Pakatan Rakyat to do the same. We must not forget that the Rakyat has given us an overwhelming victory in Selangor during the last General Elections because they are expecting much better from us.

We call upon the Selangor state government to display political courage and demonstrate moral leadership in standing up for what we believe in. The state government must utilise the political capital vested by the massive electoral mandate to uphold the position and principles of Pakatan Rakyat.

If we fail to make Selangor a showcase Pakatan state, then not only will we kiss our Putrajaya ambitions goodbye, even our hold on Selangor will be in jeopardy. Do not forget, we won Selangor in 2008 despite having only 2 elected representatives prior to that.

The very same voters could repeat the feat gain against us in the 14th General Election, if we continue to take them for granted. -  Tony Pua is the MP for PJ Utara