It was reported 2 days ago that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri said that the Government had always observed the 10-point solution on the use of the word “Allah” by Christians in Sabah and Sarawak.
In response to calls on the Government to uphold the 10-point solution announced in 2011 following the Jan 2 Jais’s raid on the Bible Society of Malaysia, Nancy said that it was a matter for the state government to resolve as religion came under the jurisdiction of the state.
She also said that Sabahan and Sarawakian Christians in Selangor were free to practise their faith and “If they are praying within their own premises, then nobody can stop them, as long as they do not try to convert other people”.
The immediate questions which came to my mind upon reading her comment were firstly, if she has become the Cabinet spokesperson on the 10 point solution, and secondly , has the Cabinet decided that the 10 point solution could be violated by any state religious authority?
It was reported on Jan 9 that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would announce a Cabinet decision on the public concerns arising from the issue of non Muslims using the kalimah Allah.
Health Minister Datuk Subramanim was quoted to say that the Cabinet did discuss the issue on January 8 and that the Prime Minister would make the announcement. He said the Cabinet decided that only one voice would speak.
It has been more than 17 days since Jais blatantly violated the Cabinet’s 10 point solution and it has been more than 11 days since the Cabinet discussed the Allah issue, the Prime Minister has yet to show leadership and speak on the issue.
Yet 3 days ago, he was so quick to react against the Kangkong ridicule against him.
Malaysians must now wonder where his sense of priorities is.
The 10 point solution was decided by the Cabinet and there is no reason for the Prime Minister to remain silent when it was blatantly violated by Jais.
Silence is not an option and the Prime Minister must show political leadership and courage to resolve the issue.
His continued silence and inaction will allow interfaith relations to be further strained.
They will also strengthen the perceptions that he is a weak leader who is incapable of being a Prime Minister for all Malaysians.