Gag Order proves Govt Incapable of Governing – Dr. Jeffrey

KOTA KINABALU - “The announcement that the Cabinet Ministers are gagged and not allowed to speak pertaining to the use of the word “Allah” and that only the PM can speak is not surprising.  Added the silence of Najib himself and they only add to the growing perception that the government is floundering and incapable of governing” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief in commenting on the gag order issued to all Cabinet ministers pertaining to the use of the word "Allah".

It will also not be surprising if the PM and his Cabinet is asked to step down and hand over to a new Prime Minister with his new Cabinet.

“What does the gag order mean?” rused Dr. Jeffrey.

In April 2011, the PM himself signed the 10-Point solution in which Bibles in all languages including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia were freely allowed.   It means that the use of the word “Allah” was not an issue and more specifically Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia were at liberty to be used.

The 10-Point was a decision of the Cabinet, the highest authority of government in the land.

“Is it not a Cabinet decision that was meant to be implemented and enforced and followed by the government and its agencies” added Dr. Jeffrey.

“Why then the Bible raid?” “Why are the Bibles still retained and not returned to the Bible Society?” and “Why the gag order?”

“Does it mean that the Cabinet no longer respect and will no longer honour the 10-Point?

The logical interpretation of the gag order means that the 10-Point is no longer valid and the Cabinet no longer respect the 10-Point which was intended to be a political gimmick in the run-up to GE-13 to hoodwink and mislead the Christian voters in Sabah and Sarawak in the election.  If it was still as good as law, there is no necessity to gag the Ministers because the 10-Point is clear and unequivocal.  There is nothing wrong with the contents of the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia and the Bible raid should not have occurred.

If the PM and his Cabinet is serious in preserving peace and harmony amongst the various races and religions, the 10-Point should override the 1984 Ministerial Order.   If so, the said Order of the Home Minister banning the use of the word “Allah” should be revoked.

However, given the voice of the right wing and the extremists and religious zealots against the use of “Allah” by non-Muslims, the gag order also means that the PM and his Cabinet is weak and unable to stand up for all Malaysians who are non-Muslims.   This is probably the reason why the PM is unable to state his stand on the issue.  He is not the PM for all Malaysians.

For the other non-Umno components in the Cabinet and the BN, it also means that they are spineless and are mere followers.  They are not fit to be in the Cabinet and together with their Umno counterparts, they have no business governing all Malaysians.

The question now is “Will the incapable government descend into an evil government?” in the words of Eric Hoffer “No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life and breed ill-will and suspicion – it is an evil government” in the Passionate State of Mind, 1954.

Reference

• PM gives gag order to cabinet on 'Allah' issue