KUCHING: Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) has demanded Pasir Puteh MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh to retract his statement on the Bible in Parliament and issue an apology.
ACS chairman Archbishop Simon Poh said that insensitive statements with strong allegation against another religion should never be allowed to stand without being rectified.
“His remarks that ‘Kitab Injil ini dipesongkan ataupun diubah’ (The Bible is distorted or changed) crosses into the boundary of religious sensitivity and is deemed to be an insult to all Christians who hold the Bible as sacred and holy.
“ACS also objects to Nik’s claims that no religion allowed its followers to consume alcohol,” he said in a statement.
He said that although the learned Parti Se-Islam Malaysia (PAS) lawmaker cited these as coming from his PhD research in comparative religion, and was using them to state his point against consumption of alcohol during his debate on the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2020 in Parliament, ACS strongly condemned the insensitive statements against other religions and in particular Christianity.
Poh added that the association considered Nik’s statements as ‘direct insults’ to the Holy Bible that is held sacred by Christians.
“This is considered as serious and unacceptable since these statements were openly said and recorded in the official transcript of the 14th Dewan Rakyat Parliament session on Aug 26.
“In Sarawak, harmonious living through mutual respect and acceptance is highly treasured and is a daily way of life. ACS considers such statements from Nik as inflammatory and disrespectful to all people of goodwill who seek to live in harmony in Sarawak and Malaysia.
“ACS respects the right of every person to his or her opinion. When this becomes an insult against religion, ACS strongly rejects such form of religious imposition from Pasir Puteh MP on Christianity and other religions,” he said.
Poh further stated that political leaders should set an example of civility and work for harmony for the common good of all people, while issues should be addressed in a rational and civil manner.
Crossing the boundaries into religious sensitivity with insults against the teaching of any religion was totally unacceptable.
ACS reiterated that debates in Parliament should be based on rational facts and reasoning, not religious sentiments or opinions.
