DAP reps deny Christian conspiracy, demand Nasha apology

DAP reps deny Christian conspiracy, demand Nasha apology

By Clara Chooi

October 10, 2012

Malaysian Insider

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — It is “not possible” to establish a Christian state in Malaysia, DAP leaders declared today, after they were forced again to deny yet another allegation against their party, this time from a fellow Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ally — former PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa.

In a statement here, Sarawak DAP lawmakers Wong Ho Leng and Chong Chieng Jen demanded the PAS Syura Council member withdraw his allegation and issue a public apology to DAP.

“Christians constitute a mere nine per cent of the country’s population.
“As such, it is not possible to establish a Christian state in Malaysia.
“There is therefore no reason for Christians to be made the object of hate,” they said.

The DAP lawmakers were responding to media reports of the accusation allegedly made by Nasharuddin (picture) during his speech at the Putra World Trade Centre here, where the latter claimed that DAP leaders had prayed to turn Malaysia into a Christian state during a thanksgiving ceremony held after the Sarawak state elections last year.

“The allegation is totally untrue. It is malicious and irresponsible,” Wong and Chong said in the statement.
They admitted that several “victory and thanksgiving dinners” were held to celebrate DAP’s sterling performance in Sarawak after the state wide polls on April 16, but denied that the functions were held to “pray” for a Christian state.

The dinners, they added, were held in Kuching, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintangor, Bintulu and Miri, and all top leaders of DAP’s Sarawak chapter, as well as from PKR and Islamist party PAS had been invited to attend.
“They (PAS and PKR leaders) were present in substantial numbers,” they pointed out. “There was no prayer for Malaysia to be a Christian state.”

“As Sarawak DAP leaders, we do not condone any attempt by anyone to disrupt the peace and harmony that are exemplary among Sarawakians where all races are good neighbours to one another,” the duo said, adding that they intend to lodge a police report against Nasharuddin for his allegation.

The Sarawak state polls was held on April 16 last year during the height of Christian anger against the federal administration following its widespread clampdown against Christians using the word “Allah” and the confiscation of the Al-Kitab Malay language bibles.

During the polls, the DAP trounced their Barisan Nasional (BN) foes when it swept up a whopping 12 of the 15 state seats it contested, boosting its representation in the Sarawak state legislative assembly, which was in the past largely dominated by the ruling party.

The party’s victory had resulted in numerous warnings from BN component party MCA, whose leaders warned the Chinese in Sarawak that their decision to vote in so many DAP leaders would see the Chinese lose their representation in the state government.