Christians the sacrificial lambs to deflect attention on BN's corruption

It looks like the Umno-aligned media is all out to divert the people's attention from issues of endemic corruption engulfing Prime Minister Najib Razak's administration, and as usual, Christians have once again been picked to be the sacrificial lambs for him and his Umno-BN coalition to cleanse themselves on.

"This is the same issue over and over again, using religion for political end. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and with so many laws to protect the Muslims, why should there be threat of Christianization. These are acts that are not in line with path of moderation as prescribed by our Prime Minister Najib Razak or his 1 Malaysia," Ramon Navaratnam, a Christian lay leader and prominent civil society leader, told Malaysia Chronicle.

"It is best to deal with how to move the nation forward, to look at economic and transparency issues. Improvements here will show real results rather than engaging in negative politicking and prolonging ethnic bickering that serves no purpose."

Race and religion to deflect attention from corruption and a weakening economy

Indeed, under Najib, Malaysia has seen some of the most extremist groups emerging, Perkasa and now Jati. The most recent brouhaha stirred up was over news that religious teachers from national schools in Johor would be compelled to attend a government-sanctioned seminar this Saturday to prepare them to counter the “threat of Christianisation”.

Organized by the Johor Education Department and the Johor Mufti Department, the seminar is entitled “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” or Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?.

"No point to get excited over it or to demand that the Najib administration stops it because he won't. GE-13 is around the corner and Johor is a vulnerable state. For sure, Umno will go all out to try and brainwash the Malay voters into being afraid of the Christians so that they will re-elect Umno as defenders of Islam," PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng told Malaysia Chronicle.

"But in reality, what Johor people should do is to wake up to the type of nasty politicking used by Umno. Instead of the reform message that Pakatan brings, Umno-BN sends only a message of hate. To the Christians, I say, hold your horses. Don't waste your thoughts and emotions on such a cheap stunt. It demeans Christianity, and Christians voters in Johor should know what to do. Other faiths and Muslims too should take note of how ruthless Umno and BN are. They will do anything, even using God's name in vain, to protect their vested interests so that they can continue their corrupt ways and steal the people's money."

Perkasa, Anwar and MCA

Meanwhile, Perkasa has already fired off the first salvo to retaliate against the criticisms of various Christian groups.

“Why is Chin so alarmed? Is it because the seminar will actually make it difficult for certain parties to Christianise Muslims?” said Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali. He was referring to Council of Churches of Malaysia youth moderator Chrisanne Chin who said she was “shocked and in disbelief” over “the fact... the state department is lending support to this thinking that there is a threat against Islam."

Pundits expect the Umno propaganda mills to go into overtime over the next few months as Najib prepares to dissolve Parliament and call for the 13th general election.

Apart from baiting the Christians, who form 10% of Malaysia's 28 million population, Umno-BN has already begun its gutter politicking against Opposition Leader Awar Ibrahim, while BN component MCA appears to be using rising activism by Chinese education groups to frighten the Malays back to the Umno fold.

Next week, PKR leader Rafizi Ramli will be exposing more scandals related to the RM250million NFC corruption debacle involving several top Umno leaders including Najib himself, his deputy and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Wanita chief Shahrizat Jalil, former premier Abdullah Badawi and Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

By  Maria Begum, Malaysia Chronicle