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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

IGP gaffe on Christmas caroling needing police permit, a bad sign for Malaysia

By Dr Nicholas James Guntobon


KENINGAU: The Christian communities in Sabah were shocked to read newspapers reports that a top police officer was said to have said police permit is needed for churches to do their Christmas caroling.

We are aware that there are a growing number of civil servants who are not familiar with religious sensitivities in this country. But to take no less than the IGP for such a blunder is not so good a sign of what we could expect from some of the senior officers in Malaysian civil service which is increasingly dominated by one race/religion.

Christmas caroling is a Christian tradition whereby group of carolers, young and old, go from house to house, Christian houses of course, singing Christmas or yuletide songs to families ahead of the annual celebration of the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. Only a religious fanatic would insist now that we apply police permit for such gathering. It is just ridiculous and make no sense at all.

Why Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein quickly said that such police permit is not needed to hold Christmas caroling has only raised further questions of who between them really represent the conscience of the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional government. Are they not supposed to be working together to keep the nation safe and secure.

The blunder has revealed that things are not very stable in the minds of some Malaysian leaders, and this bode not too well in future for a multi-cultural society like ours. One must remember that years ago this same party did not allow Chinese lion dance. Hishammudin better educate his officers or take responsibility and resign from his post.

Dr Nicholas James Guntobon is UBF Coordinator for Liawan, Keningau, cum Committee Member of Borneo Heritage Foundation (BHF)
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67 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    As child earlier day was told those guys too afraid of 'lion' dance and drum sound so barred the lion dance after May 13.Today we can see even PATI join lion dance in Sabah not to mention muslim laaa!

    One day may see them joining other in carolling team as well.Why they always feel malaysian cannot live with positive and harmony way instead?I believe certainly some government servant or policemen too are believer in christianity!What is the motive behind all this requirement?

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    what's wrong with M'sia now? banned here banned there, this one cannot that one cannot....matailah we rakyat!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Is it true that carolers must obtain permit from the police to hold caroling activities?

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  4. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Does lion dance troops also need permit to visit households during CNY?

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  5. Allysa DamiaDecember 14, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Permit? Dari dulu lagi carolling tidak payah permit. sekarang kena ada permit pula. Biar betul ni

    ReplyDelete
  6. PreciousDecember 14, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Diskriminasi started.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Kenapa harus ada permit? Jika ianya untuk keselamatan, bererti semua rakyat di negara ini harus minta permit ke mana saja mereka pergi in case keselamatan mereka terancam semasa berada di luar?

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  8. HDecember 14, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    Please give the most relevant reason why they must apply for permit.

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  9. domDecember 14, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Ada yang cakap perlu permit, ada yang cakap tidak perlu. Mana satu yang betul? Takkanlah menteri sendiri tidak alert akan pekeliling ini?

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  10. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    Nothing to worry about , this is only one of the activities /celebaration in Malaysia.

    We are free to worship ...

    ReplyDelete
  11. WatsonDecember 14, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Forgive him for being ignorent. Lets all be united and face the world challenges!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    that is the price that u have to take if you are sleep with UMNO/BN. this thing never happen before.why now?tepuk dada tanya selera.

    ReplyDelete
  13. PaquinDecember 14, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    Langkah keselamatan itu penting tapi kalau sampai mcm ni halnya, ini tak boleh jadi oo!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. PaquinDecember 14, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Kalau ya pun mahu kenakan permit, agak-agak jugalah jangan ikut sedap mulut ja..

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  15. PaquinDecember 14, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Kalau ya pun mahu kenakan permit, agak-agak jugalah jangan ikut sedap mulut ja..

    ReplyDelete
  16. PaquinDecember 14, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    Kalau berterusan macam ni susahlah... Bukan makin harmoni tapi makin berpecah pula.

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  17. PaquinDecember 14, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    Paling teruk lagi dikaitkan dengan politik. Alamatnya kalau hal ini tak ditanggani dengan baik konpom hancur.

    ReplyDelete
  18. PaquinDecember 14, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    Apapun, tak perlulah asyik menyalahkan. Sekarang ini semua pihak yang berkenaan dan punya autoriti harus lakukan sesuatu sebelum terlambat.

    ReplyDelete
  19. DorianDecember 14, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    this is crazy to have permit needed for carolling.

    ReplyDelete
  20. DorianDecember 15, 2011 at 12:01 AM

    Carolling is a way to spread the Christmas spirit.so,what is the real reason in banning carolling??

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  21. juntaDecember 15, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    perlu bagi penjelasan yg munasabah kenapa perlu ada permit?

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  22. juntaDecember 15, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    pasti ramai tak puas hati jika perlu ada permit.

    ReplyDelete
  23. lavenderDecember 15, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    adakah ini juga termasuk dalam Rang Undang2 Perhimpunan Aman?

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  24. cherishDecember 15, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    nonsense.

    ReplyDelete
  25. cherishDecember 15, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    kami sebagai orang Sabah menentang keras peraturan baru ni. we have freedom to practice our belief.

    ReplyDelete
  26. cyantiaDecember 15, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    Why need to be implemented now? was there any problem before?

    ReplyDelete
  27. cyantiaDecember 15, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    The action will only creating tension.

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousDecember 15, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    I never thought it could be such way. Shame on you.

    ReplyDelete
  29. tambunanDecember 15, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    mencabul perlembagaan malaysia di mana setiap agama bebas untuk mengamalkan kepercayaan mereka masing2..

    ReplyDelete
  30. tambunanDecember 15, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    hishammudin, sila perjelaskan perkara ini...

    ReplyDelete
  31. linutauDecember 15, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    Hishammudin better educate his officers or take responsibility and resign from his post.

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousDecember 15, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    hari raya also should be banned...maal hijrah also should need police permit..

    ReplyDelete
  33. lindaDecember 15, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    najib, please response on this issue...

    ReplyDelete
  34. lindaDecember 15, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    najib said respect each other religion and belief..but why such things happened? is the 1malaysia just a rhetoric?

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousDecember 16, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    Since when does carolers need a permit? It's the first time I have ever heard of it.

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousDecember 16, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Hope that no one is trying to stir up religious controversies in Sabah.

    ReplyDelete
  37. blackDecember 16, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    menteri berkenaan sudah cakap bahawa nyanyian Karol tidak perlukan permit. jadi cukup la penjelasan setakat disitu..

    ReplyDelete
  38. partyDecember 16, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    This is so absurd.

    ReplyDelete
  39. kayDecember 16, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    black said...

    menteri berkenaan sudah cakap bahawa nyanyian Karol tidak perlukan permit. jadi cukup la penjelasan setakat disitu..
    December 16, 2011 9:16 AM
    ________________________________________________

    jika benar seperti yang dinyatakan oleh black, baguslah nyanyian karol tidak perlukan permit.

    ReplyDelete
  40. karulnaimDecember 16, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Tidak perlulah ada permit. Biarlah perkara ini seperti dulu kala.

    ReplyDelete
  41. UnknownDecember 16, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    Sungguh memalukan apa yang ICP katakan ini. Ini mengenai agama mereka. Maka biarlah mereka bebas beragama. Itu cara agama mereka maka biarkan mereka dengan cara mereka. Permit untuk apa??

    bayausbh.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. turianDecember 16, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    Memang perkara ini perlulah dibantah. Kenapa permit ini perlu diberikan? sedangkan dulu-dulu perkara ini tidak pernah pun ada permit. Jangan cakap mahu duit sudahlah.

    ReplyDelete
  43. AlimahDecember 16, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Permit diperlukan untuk membuat coral? Oooo Tidak..Apa sudah jadi? Salahkan apa yang mereka buat. Ini cuma menyusahkan saja untuk mengurus permit.

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  44. AnonymousDecember 16, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Ridiculous.

    ReplyDelete
  45. terukDecember 16, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Tidak masuk akal langsung.

    ReplyDelete
  46. AnonymousDecember 16, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Sabah amat ok selama ini, buatpa nak permit.

    ReplyDelete
  47. KhairulDecember 17, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    This is a bit too much to have permit for such celebration.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Moi MoiDecember 17, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    mereka harus diberi kebebasan yang mencukupi untuk meraikan hari yang mulia ini, tidak harus teramat kongkong aktiviti tersebut.

    ReplyDelete
  49. YusDecember 17, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Permit ini cuma mengungkit perasan tidak puas hati sahaja.

    ReplyDelete
  50. LLSDecember 17, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    I don't see why they restricted such a warmth activities. They have been doing for ages, why till now only they need to apply for permit?

    ReplyDelete
  51. ShiniaDecember 17, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    This is make more people to hate the government.

    ReplyDelete
  52. NelsonDecember 17, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    Ini aktiviti yang mulia, kenapa perlu disekat?

    ReplyDelete
  53. AmeerulDecember 17, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    Ini pasti mengungkit banyak penganut kristian tidak puas hati dengan kerajaan.

    ReplyDelete
  54. MarkDecember 17, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Christmas caroling has never create any issue, why only now needed all these permit?

    ReplyDelete
  55. AmirDecember 17, 2011 at 3:47 PM

    Keharmonian antara agama & bangsa harus dihormati.

    ReplyDelete
  56. AnonymousDecember 17, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Terasa ini tindakan kerajaan yang tidak masuk akal.

    ReplyDelete
  57. AnonymousDecember 18, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Tontolou kaulah IGP!
    Permit balabakkauyang sudah nakalangayat!

    Goto hell!

    ReplyDelete
  58. AnonymousDecember 18, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    IGP GILA!
    MULAUUUUUUU!!!!
    PTUI!!!!!
    Kakak saya islam, semua cousin saya islam! Tapi dorang semua bagus!

    Ehhhh!!! Takuuuut!!!Dengan islam dari semenanjung, kuat cari pasal tentang agama.

    Tapi pikir2 ini satu cara mencari pasal (Provokatif). Senang sajauntuk menilainya,

    Tidak Yakin Dengan Akidah Islam!
    Sorry, not for the good muslims,only for those bad muslim.

    ReplyDelete
  59. AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    Too bad...

    ReplyDelete
  60. magDecember 19, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    Rasanya tidak perlu permit..dari dulu memang tidak perlu permit polis..

    ReplyDelete
  61. vilDecember 19, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    Mungkin ada salah faham di sini..satu pihak kata perlu..satu pihak lagi bilang tidak perlu permit..mana satu betul ni..

    ReplyDelete
  62. ShantyDecember 19, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Kenapa baru sekarang perlu permit..tidak masuk akal langsung...nnti ini lagi jadi isu panas..

    ReplyDelete
  63. jaclynDecember 19, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    Harap ada penyelesaian dalam hal ini..jangan biarkan rakyat tertanya2..

    ReplyDelete
  64. garryDecember 19, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    Isu seperti ini tidak sepatutnya timbul.. boleh buat banyak pihak bergaduh..

    ReplyDelete
  65. Double Standard vs RacistDecember 20, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Permit kepala HOTAK IGP!
    Ridicolous!
    Devilish aact!
    The Maal Hijrah Parrade need permitkah?
    The Maulud Nabi parrade?

    ReplyDelete
  66. AnonymousDecember 23, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    More like 1 Malaysia for you, 1 Malaysia for me, both different

    ReplyDelete
  67. AnonymousDecember 23, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    I can tell you honestly as a foreigner, the religious bigotry and racism stands out like dogs balls no matter what anyone says about 1 Malaysia. It's very childish and obvious.

    ReplyDelete

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