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MALAYSIA IS NOT AN ISLAMIC STATE!!!

CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA

PRESS STATEMENT

Malaysia is a Constitutional Democracy

and Not an Islamic State

The Christian Federation of Malaysia wishes to express its concern at the following remarks of Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak on 17^th July 2007 in response to questions from reporters:

“Islam is the official religion and Malaysia is an Islamic State, an Islamic

State that respects the rights of the non-Muslims and we protect them.”

As he is the Deputy Prime Minister of the country and for all Malaysians, he should not have made those remarks. The use of the term “Islamic State” is unacceptable to Malaysians of other faiths, on three grounds.

Firstly, the term “Islamic State” is not used in our Federal Constitution to describe the country. By citing Art. 3(1) of our Federal Constitution to infer that Malaysia was meant to be an Islamic State runs contrary to the original intention of the Constitution. The Constitution does not provide for a theocratic state.

Secondly, it was never the intention of the social contract entered into at the independence of Malaysia that Malaysia would be an Islamic State. The Constitution was structured to guarantee the right of all religious communities to co-exist and relate with each other on an equal basis as citizens of one and a united country.

Thirdly, to-date, the non-Muslim coalition parties that make up the Barisan National Government had never consented nor officially endorsed the use of the term “Islamic State” to describe the country. The Deputy Prime Minister’s statement must therefore be viewed as lacking official endorsement by the government of the day.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia appeals to the Deputy Prime Minister to retract his aforesaid remarks and to the government to refrain from the use of the term “Islamic State” in the description of Malaysia and instead to vigorously advocate the description of Malaysia as a secular constitutional democracy.

Bishop Dr. Paul Tan Chee Ing, SJ

Chairman, Christian Federation of Malaysia

Dated: 19^th July 2007

Are You A Giant Killer?

¹⁵ Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. ¹⁶ And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels ^[b] and who was armed with a new sword , said he would kill David. ¹⁷ But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, "Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished."

¹⁸ In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.

¹⁹ In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim ^[c] the Bethlehemite killed Goliath ^[d] the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod.

²⁰ In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. ²¹ When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David's brother, killed him.

²² These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

(The New International Version)

There are no known records of giant killers in King Saul's army. David on the other hand, had four - Abishai, Sibbecai, Elhanan and Jonathan. To speak of giants, one quickly recalls the oft told tale of David & Goliath.

Some lessons I've learnt from this passage:

• If you are a giant killer, expect and encourage your followers to exceed you.
• To be a giant killer, you must follow a giant killer.
• You become the company you keep. Choose you companions wisely.
• There is no giant-slaying in the comforts of home. Go to war.
• Don't be complacent or dwell on past successes, there is always more than 1 giant to face.

Just For Laughs Again

If the enemy is in range, so are you.

I always take life with a grain of salt ... and a slice of lemon ... and a shot of tequila.

The best cure for insomnia is to get a lot of sleep.

Taken from Coast to Coast: The Definitive Backpackers Guide To South Africa

Yet Another Just For Laughs

Justice: A decision in your favour.

How do you get holy water? You boil the hell out of it.

I don't work here. I'm a consultant.

Taken from Coast to Coast: The Definitive Backpackers Guide To South Africa

Another Just For Laughs

What do sea monsters eat for lunch? Fish and ships.

How does Paris Hilton change a lightbulb? She says, "Daddy I want a new apartment."

What goes faster than a rabbit in a field? A rabbit in a blender.

Taken from Coast to Coast: The Definitive Backpackers Guide To South Africa

Titanium Breaks

Last night I accidentally (duh, obviously it can't be on purpose) snapped the left ear-piece of my glasses. Groan!

Well, I'm just thankful that I have a spare pair.

Now, my mind is on overdrive deciphering the next step ...