Anwar: Johor seminar a ‘disgusting political manoeuvre’

By Clara Chooi

March 28, 2012

Anwar slammed the seminar as a ploy to frighten the public. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders have demanded Putrajaya explain this weekend’s “anti-Christianisation” seminar in Johor, which their de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim labelled today “a disgusting political manoeuvre”.

The leaders, when questioned during a press conference in Parliament this afternoon, agreed the event was a dangerous move that could add further tension to the country’s religious ties.

“What I can confirm is that this is nothing other than a disgusting political manoeuvre to use religion to frighten the people,” Anwar said.

The opposition leader was quick to link the matter to Umno, saying it was often leaders from the country’s ruling party who had a penchant for using religion to capture Malay support.

But Anwar added that if the alleged threat of Christianisation is real, those claiming to know of such incidences should furnish proof instead of instigating fear and anger among Muslims.

“Is it true there is a massive effort to Christianise Muslims as alleged by some quarters?” he asked.

Religious teachers from national schools in Johor will attend an officially-sanctioned seminar this Saturday focussing on the “threat of Christianisation”, which has sparked outrage among Christians.

Organised by the Johor Education Department and the Johor Mufti Department, the seminar themed “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” (Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?) requires the attendance of two religious teachers from each of the 55 national schools across Johor.