Since the Jan 2 ‘s raid on Bible Society of Malaysia by Jais, the nation has been expecting the Prime Minister to reaffirm the Cabinet’s 10 point solution announced in 2011.
But Datuk Seri Najib has disappointed the nation, especially the Christian community with his silence. He would rather respond to the kangkong ridicule against him than to comment on Jais’s unconstitutional raid in total disregard of the Cabinet’s decision.
Yesterday, he finally broke his silence. But what he said has caused more disappointment and even anger.
His remarks that the 10 point solution is subjected to state laws will worsen the trust deficit between the government and the people, especially the Christian community.
Can Najib deny that when the 10 point solution was announced in 2011, it was meant to resolve the Alkitab issue in all states?
I cannot agree with his remarks that the solution has clearly spelt out that it is subjected to state Islamic laws.
Andrew Khoo, co-chairperson of the Human Rights Committee of the Bar Council Malaysia has in his article titled “ 10 point solution akin to a bounced cheque “ eloquently put forward the following argument:-
Note that point no 9 starts with the words “Beyond the Bible issue”. This means that what follows in point no 9 is intended to cover other inter-religious issues apart from the immediate issue of the importation, printing, publication and distribution of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia, which would have used the word ‘Allah’ for God. These would have been dealt with in points no 1 to no 8. The meaning and intent of the words are very clear.
For the prime minister to now suggest that the reference to “other relevant laws of the country” meant that the 10-point solution was always intended to be subject to the various state enactments to restrict and control the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam is to fly in the face of the logic of the wording of the 10-point solution.
If the Cabinet had wanted the solution to be subjected to state laws, why did the Prime Minister not say so clearly in the 10 point solution?
Najib must answer this question or he cannot blame the many netizens who have asked if there was a deliberate attempt to mislead and even deceive the Christian community in 2011 and if the solution was merely announced for political expediency due to the 2011 Sarawak state general election.
Or was he now buckling under the pressures from Umno hardliners?
His yesterday’s remarks were a great cop out as he has failed to do what he ought to do as the nation’s Prime Minister.
Is it not his responsibility as the Prime Minister to resolve the problem if he finds that any Cabinet decision cannot be implemented in some states due to existing state laws?
The 10 point solution was a Cabinet approved solution. The Cabinet has a responsibility to ensure its compliance and workability in all states. A Cabinet solution must be able to resolve the problem. It cannot become a solution that brings no solution, or worse, creates more problems.
The Prime Minister must by deed prove that he is committed to the 10 point solution. He must not abdicate his leadership responsibilities.
He must immediately take the necessary steps to ensure the 10 point solution is a solution implementable in all states.