Perzeus James (left) and Uthaya Sankar SB, who are both authors, had lodged police reports over a seminar held at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in May but till now, they have not received any updates about the investigation. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, September 11, 2014.
As more people are picked up on sedition charges, two complainants are asking why Putrajaya has done nothing about a highly controversial seminar against Christianity at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) held last May.
Perzeus James and Uthaya Sankar SB, both authors, had lodged police reports at the Taman Sri Muda police station in Shah Alam two days after the May 6 seminar and were called twice to have their statements recorded following that.
Until today, there has been no word from the police on investigation into their complaints.
"Given that the police and government have been on a sedition charge blitz lately, we are wondering what is happening to the reports we made against the organisers of the seminar, which clearly incited hatred towards Christianity," Uthaya told The Malaysian Insider today.
Given that many others were being charged for sedition of late, Uthaya said they have instructed their lawyer Annou Xavier to write to the Shah Alam OCPD requesting for an update on the reports lodged.
In recent weeks, opposition politicians and several individuals have been investigated or charged under the Sedition Act, prompting critics to accuse Datuk Seri Najib Razak of back-pedalling on his pledge to repeal the law in July 2012 as part of his reform agenda.
In the letter addressed to OCPD Superintendent Azisman Alias and Inspector Rohaini Baharom today, Uthaya and Perzeus also wanted to know whether their complaints were being investigated under the Penal Code or the Sedition Act.
Both Uthaya and Perzeus had presented themselves twice to the police, on May 16 and June 7, for questioning. They were asked by Insp Rohaini what they were dissatisfied about regarding the UiTM seminar.
At the seminar, several speakers had warned Muslims against the “threat of Christianisation”.
One of the speakers also reportedly said that the word “Allah” should only be used by Muslims as it originated from the Quran and was never mentioned in the Bible.
One of the books distributed at the UiTM seminar in May. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, September 11, 2014.Apart from the reports lodged by Uthaya and Perzeus, reports were also lodged by individuals in Sarawak who felt that the seminar amounted to Christian-bashing and further questioned why the public varsity allowed such a seminar to be held on its premises.
They had also noted that no expert on Christianity was invited to the seminar to defend the religion.
UiTM had said that the seminar was organised to “increase the understanding” of Muslims about the use of “Allah” by non-Muslims.
Speakers had also warned of “undercover” Christian priests allegedly sent to Malaysia under different guises to proselytise and convert Muslims, such as through sports and other activities.
Copies of books published by the Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) on the threat of Christianisation and alleged evangelism among Muslims in Malaysia were also distributed to those present that day.
The book entitled "Pendedahan Agenda Kristian" warned Muslims to watch out for "tricks" by Christians to sway them from their faith.
The book also claimed that the main reason there was apostasy among Muslims was because of Christianisation.
Another book, titled "Obligation to preserve the sanctity of the name Allah", explained why non-Muslims, in particular Christians, cannot be allowed to use the word Allah.
The seminar was jointly organised by the Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies, UiTM, Warisan Ibnu Aaby and the Selangor Islamic Council with the support of Utusan Malaysia, Kumpulan Karangkraf, TV Al-Hijrah, Zikay Group and Pantai Bharu Group of Companies.
At the seminar, one of its speakers said he had been a former Catholic priest who left the faith to become a Muslim.
Insan L.S. Mokoginta told 1,000-odd students at the seminar that he was a former Catholic priest who converted to Islam in 1976. The Bishops Conference of Indonesia, however, confirmed that Mokoginta’s claim was false.
- TMI
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