Rev Eu: I was questioning Article 153 implementation

Christian leader Reverend Eu Hong Seng has clarified that he is not questioning the constitutional position of the bumiputera in Article 153 of the federal constitution.

Instead, he said, the matter of contention is the implementation of the Article and its effects on the rest of Malaysians.

"We are talking about the implementation of the Article, and not the interpretation... We respect Article 153 and don't question the interpretation of it," he said when contacted yesterday.

The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship chairperson added that his Christmas speech, which sparked a backlash, should be read in context.

"What we are saying is that no one is really (questioning) Article 153, but it keeps being raised like a bogeyman," he said.

Calling for calm over the issue, Eu added that "enough has been said" on the matter.

The reverend had at a Christmas Federation of Malaysia (CFM) Christmas hi-tea on Saturday said that the constant talk of the rights of the majority is tantamount to bullying of the minority.

In his scathing speech, Eu stated that he has no problems with the special position of the bumiputera and the Malay rulers as stipulated in the constitution.

However, he wondered about the "shifting rights" of the majority, which he said leads to confusion over the extent of these rights.

Perkasa wants Eu hauled up for sedition

Since his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has called for an end to all debate on Article 153 as it "stirs racism and discontent".

Malay rights NGO Perkasa yesterday demanded that Eu to be charged under the Sedition Act.

The outspoken reverend had in 2008 delivered a hard-hitting speech when he questioned why Christians have to worship in shophouses and industrial lots.

That speech was delivered at CFM's annual Christmas event attend by then-prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.