… is for good grace and love to permeate for a brighter future.
IT’S Christmas Day and certainly the best time of the year for many of us. So, I’ll rein in any negative thoughts that could ruin this wonderful season.
No whining or complaining, as much as I want to rant about the relentless uncouth and disrespectful Members of Parliament, both old and new, who continue to make a mockery of themselves. Making caricatures of themselves is fine, but not at our expense.
We now have a new government, a new prime minister and pleasingly, the usual recalcitrant lawmakers are gone. Yet somehow, it looks like we have an archaic MP, now on the opposition side, and would you know it, a greenhorn backbencher MP who’s trying to carve a niche for himself with his antics.
Once more though, why spoil the holiday! I’ll stop at that. They won’t be allowed to sully this season and they are also not worthy of premium newsprint space.
Despite being a minority in this country, I am just thankful that as Christians, we can celebrate this festival openly and peacefully. It’s also a national public holiday, which reflects the day’s official recognition.
I continue to get Christmas greetings from Malaysians of all races and religions, including my many Muslim relatives, friends and colleagues.
They seem unperturbed by those with narrow interpretations of religion who impose their self-serving views on them.
It’s important to note that some of our Rulers, even as guardians of Islam, have publicly released annual Christmas messages.
And when a few Muslim friends privately tell me that they are uncomfortable wishing me Merry Christmas for religious reasons, I respect their decision, because I know they mean well. Instead, they wish me in a different way, which is fine.
I can live with that. Fundamentally, they’ve at least not forgotten me.
But many Malaysians have expressed their concerns and fears of how the so-called Green Tsunami, led by PAS, is sweeping the country. The moderates need to do better in muting the sound bites of the Islamist party.
There is still hope for this country, as there always has been. The formation of the Unity Government proves that no party can hope to rule this country by itself.
By now, PAS too, must have realised that despite their big gains from GE15, they can’t expect to form a government unless they have the backing of non-Muslims, and even Muslims.
It’s politically unhealthy for politicians to win votes by pitting others as bogeymen by name-calling their opponents communists, Jewish conspirators and Christians, and incredibly, even others as LGBT supporters, branding them all enemies.
This comes from someone who claims to be religious and pious, and yet, blamed non-Muslims for being the cause of corruption in this country.
It’s equally disturbing to hear some politicians asking what is wrong with PAS, since it has purportedly ruled well in Kelantan, refuting accusations likening the party to the Taliban.
Of course, there’s a lot that is unsound, particularly the rules imposed there ranging from the ban on unisex hair salons and cinemas to even destroying Malay culture.
There may be Buddhist and Hindu temples there, but it’s very likely that open Christmas celebrations at malls will not be tolerated.
We are now hearing certain politicians saying the existing secular political system cannot be accepted in Malaysia. They have completely ignored what our founding fathers wanted and enshrined in the Constitution.
On this occasion, I hope Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other ministers will attend the national Christmas celebration or those hosted by the churches, to send the message that Malaysia embraces diversity.
As Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim of G25 said, “I hope DS Anwar will make it a point to wish all Malaysians Merry Christmas as a gesture of goodwill to the Christians. In a multiracial, multi religious country, all communities should join in the celebrations whenever each community has its festival day.”
In Palestine, the Arab population is Muslim and Christian. They have no issue with enjoying each other’s religious festivals. The late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat attended church prayers on Christmas eve. Of course, he did not recite any prayers – he was there in church to show solidarity with the Palestinian Christians as they prayed for Christmas.
This is a moderate country and as even Saudi Arabia becomes more progressive, we shouldn’t allow those who embrace regression to push ahead with their dangerous and archaic agenda.
But we must forgive and pray for these politicians with parochial political views, with the belief that “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Let there be peace and love on Earth, especially in our beloved Malaysia, and may I wish Malaysians celebrating Christmas a joyous one and for others, enjoy the yearend holidays with your loved ones.
