bobjots : redux

The dangerous trend of pursuing policies that continue to divide the Malaysian people has taken another morbid turn for the worst with the recent banning of an Indonesian/Malay language Christian song, “Allah Peduli” (God Cares) by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS).

Being an authority that derives its power from the state Syariah laws, technically their rulings don’t affect non-Muslims. Nonetheless, it is an indication of the growing intolerance that is being nurtured and encouraged by the authorities, perhaps as a subtle attempt to reduce the common ground between Malaysians who are from diverse ethnic backgrounds and creeds.

I have not heard the version banned by MAIS but I am familiar with the version recorded by Jeffrey S. Tjandra. My gut reaction was to get extremely offended. But upon further thought, I realised that its reactions like these that are being sought by the people who take such actions. We’d save them a lot of work by driving the wedge in between us deeper ourselves. They just need to provide the catalyst.

Looks like MAIS is intent on making the Selangor state government led by Pakatan Rakyat look like a bunch of hypocrites. Then again, they don’t really have practical jurisdiction over the state religious authorities, do they?

While the ban above may have little practical impact on non-Muslims and Christians in particular, the list (a selected sampling of which I provide below) of Christian publications banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) does. In fact, one would find these books listed in the same blacklist as books on feminism, pornography and hate speech:

• Seri Pemahaman Doktrin Alkitabiah: Dunia Kepunyaan Allah
  Cundall, Arthur E.; Persekutuan Pembaca Alkitab (Scripture Union)
• Seri Pemahaman Doktrin Alkitabiah : Manusia Baru
  Packer, J.I.; Persekutuan Pembaca Alkitab (Scripture Union)
• Belajar Berjalan Dengan Allah
  Riggs, Charlie; Persekutuan Pembaca Alkitab (Scripture Union)
• Alkitab: Buku Untuk Masa Kini
  Stott, John R. W.; Persekutuan Pembaca Alkitab (Scripture Union)
• Mengapa Al-Kitab Disebut Firman Allah
  Lindsay, Gordon; Yayasan Perkhabaran Injil
• Firman Allah Yang Hidup
  Indonesian version of the Living Bible
• Sejarah Singkat Liturgi Barat
  Klauser, Theodor; Penerbit Kanisius

How then should we respond to this? While the majority of Christians in Malaysia are Malay speaking, a lot of the most vocal opposition comes from West Malaysian Christians who rarely use the Malay language for liturgical and/or other purposes. Unfortunately our own cultural and linguistic arrogance has come back full circle to bite us in our collective behinds. That ought to give us something to think about as we work out our own individual response. Personally, I’d just defy it .. but that’s just me.