Lame. Boy-George Lame.

Just when I was thinking of eating humble pie…

In view that the Christians in Malaysia probably did vote for the opposition parties this time around and therefore contributed to the waves of unprecedented change, perhaps I was wrong in accusing the NECF of subtly influencing believers into maintaining the BN status quo.

Out of curiosity, I searched the NECF website
for perhaps a post-election statement of sorts, all prepared to eat humble pie.

The Jan-Feb issue of Berita NECF has however convinced me that at least one or two personalities of the NECF do have some vested interests in supporting a BN government.

Once again, the NECF attempts to pit Christians against PAS for reasons best known to themselves. In one short passing statement, they equate PAS to nothing but the implementation of hudud and shariah law then proceed to explain in needless jargon why Christians opted for UMNO over PAS out of social responsibility towards collective socialism. They call themselves intellectual Christian think tanks but on this issue, they sound like empty tin cans.

Now while I was contemplating a Kit-Siang-like humble apology to the NECF, they too issued a sorry of their own, but in a relatively Bung Mukhtar style. I was obviously not the only one upset over the NECF’s apparent condemnation of the BERSIH and HINDRAF rallies, and the NECF must have received enough complaints from fellow believers in order to issue an apology of sorts. The NECF clarifies that it is supportive of the right to peaceful assembly. Strange, they truly didn’t seem to be when they openly accused the peaceful rallies of obstructing traffic and disrupting businesses. Now that’s classical not practicing what one preaches. If they had truly believed in the right to peaceful assembly, they would not have condemned the rallies in the identical way the BN politicians did.

In the closing messages of the Jan-Feb issue, the NECF sings a familiar tune more often read in the mainstream media. Apart from the usual “vote wisely”, the NECF adds that Christians should not vote with emotions based on recent events and current issues. Well, it sounds like Ong Ka Ting, looks like Ong Ka Ting but is definitely not Ong Ka Ting or Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, unless both have converted to Christianity in secret.

Lastly, the NECF justifies its apparent silence on social issues. Obviously, I am once again not the only Christian perturbed by the NECF’s deafening silence. The NECF begins its justification by describing its pro-activity on all issues in the past. It went on to announce that it has recently reached an agreement with the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) that they will only comment on issues affecting Christians and the Christian church.

Lame, Boy-George lame.

It is so easy to justify silence by saying we would only mind our own business. Problem is, the NECF did not and does not, as exemplified by their swift condemnation of many of the opposition’s activities since 2004. It does not require any strength and godliness to stand up for one’s own interests and benefits, the UMNO fellows are able to do that on any given day. If that is the stand the NECF has taken, so be it, for it speaks volumes of its principles and practices.

Just as Gerakan and MCA need to reinvent themselves to be more relevant to society, perhaps, just maybe the NECF would like to search within itself too.

I owe them no apology and am not eating humble pie till proven wrong.


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And Another to the Lame Christian Leaders.

A rebuke in love and grace.





“With such persons thou shalt not even eat”….the NECF especially their former chairman a Rev. Datuk Dr. have been cozying up to the MCA and Gerakan politicians. How else would he have attained the Datuk title and wear it with pride wherever he goes?

“Relieve the oppressed”….their lack of empathy with HINDRAF demonstrates the shortsightedness of the NECF leaders. Of the UMNO Islamists can target Hindu temples, there is no assurance that they won’t be going after the Christian churches next.Has the NECF even seen videos of the beatings and assaults suffered by the HINDRAF members? Does the NECF even realise how many "amicable" efforts have been attempted by the HINDRAF leadership prior to their rally? Does the NECF know of the empty promises and stinking bull shit given by Khir Toyo and Nazri Aziz prior to HINDRAF's uprising?

“Seek justice”….the NECF’s plea for responsible Christian citizenship is hollow and hypocritical if they do not support the call for free and fair elections. There is no point quoting scripture verses to support a "healthy relationship with the authories" if the authorities have no interest in forging one with Christians. Jesus spoke as he saw fit, with little regard to the listener. In love, in anger, Jesus spoke as he had to.

“My people are destroyed for their lack of knowledge”….Berita NECF quotes nothing but articles from the BN-manipulated mainstream media. Like katak di bawah tempurung, the NECF is seemingly unaware that there are two sides to a coin, and not everything they read in the mainstream media is gospel truth.

“Whoever is not against me, is for me”….the actions of many opposition parties are far ‘more Christian’ than any of the BN component parties. The NECF shies away from having any association with them, afraid of the possible unfavorable consequences that might follow like, maybe Gerakan will no longer allow NECF to hold their grand banquets at its hall?

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Allah, Christians, and BN Politics....

”Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17, King James Bible


Such were the verses in the King James Bible – a commandment so clear and specific it’s within the comprehension of any individual. In the wake of recent and significant events –the Lina Joy verdict, the HINDRAF rally, corpse-kidnapping, and Najib Razak’s declaration that Malaysia had all along been an Islamic state, I have been utterly disappointed at the meek responses of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) and Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM).

Making a stand and Acting on It

At a time when individuals of all echelons of society are stepping out of their comfort zones to make a stand for social justice and absolute truth, many churches especially the politically-connected ones are shying away from facing the bitter truth about the direction Malaysia has taken in the last few years. Apart from a few well-worded, politically correct media statements on issues affecting Christians and non-Muslims, I see no concrete action on the part of the NECF and CCM.

Instead of being blunt and honest like Jesus was to the Pharisees of his time, Christian leaders are seemingly inundating believers with selective good news and lame reassurances that all is well in an ailing nation. Even as rose-bearing Hindraf children are courageously facing the water cannons of UMNO, the Christian and church leaders have hitherto remained strangely silent. It is in total contradiction to the Bible’s commandment for believers to ‘seek judgement for the oppressed’.

In general, Christian leaders have behaved as though the religious discrimination endured by our Hindu brethren bear no relevance to the present or future survival of the Christian community. Was it not spoken by Jesus in Matthew 25:40 that “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”?

Partakers of the BN regime

A quick review of NECF’s and CCM’s responses to significant Malaysian issues will show a dismay track record.

At the height of public anger towards the keris-wielding frenzy at UMNO’s 2006 Annual General Assembly, the NECF “lauds Umno President Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for his firm and assuring statements made while delivering his presidential address”, instead of rebuking UMNO’s threat of violence and slaughter upon the non-Malays.

When a memorandum to the Prime Minister calling for a review of laws affecting non-Muslims was withdrawn by the non-Muslim ministers, the Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism deemed it as a “redemptive and reconciliatory act” – as though non-Muslims were at any fault trying to seek justice.

The Council of Churches Malaysia does not perform any better. In an obvious reference to Islam Hadhari, the CCM website describes Malaysia as a “nation where progressive and modern Islamic democracyis at work” and laments the fact that PAS “was able to retain its power on Kelantan after a marginal victory at the 2004 general elections”. Personally, I’d prefer the Council of Churches to openly declare its support to the BN regime rather than subtly incite hatred towards the PAS government.


In the Nov/Dec 2007 Berita NECF, the federation effectively condemns the Hindraf and Bersih rally, describing them as illegal gatherings that have caused massive traffic jams and inconvenience to the rakyat. In the same edition too, the NECF proudly publishes a dialogue session with the MCA.

Such politically-savvy moves are not limited to the NECF leadership. They trickle down to the individual churches as well.


A popular “Reverend Datuk Dr” pastor of a mega-church in Damansara Indah with close affiliation to Gerakan read a letter sent to the church by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi instead of preaching from the Bible. Has God’s word taken backseat to the dictation of worldly political masters? The pastor of another church in Seapark once led the congregation in prayer prior to an UMNO-vs-PAS in the Pengkalan Pasir by-election, asking in the name of Jesus for PAS to be defeated.

In recent times, the CCM seems to have taken a different stance in the wake of corpse-snatching and bible-confiscating incidents. Nevertheless, they are still afraid to ruffle the feathers of BN politicians by openly declaring support for more reasonable and sensible voices in the opposition parties. Instead of proclaiming their specific stand in the coming general elections, the CCM decrees a vague and ill-defined message to “Vote Wisely” at a time when the majority of the Malaysian population gains “wisdom” from BN-controlled mainstream media.

The failure of church leaders to make a clear and well-defined stand in this crucial general election is ultimately aiding the Barisan Nasional to perpetuate the politics of division, corruption and discrimination.

Selective Application of Bible verses

The NECF has been conveniently selective in quoting bible verses. In pre-election March 2004, the NECF’s media statement quoted Romans 13 and advised believers to maintain a “rightful relationship with the authorities”, equating such a greased relationship to an “open door”. It is an open endorsement of the existing BN regime and a subtle decree to Christians to continue voting a regime specialized in racial polarization and religious discrimination.

On another note, in a vain attempt to placate Christians with righteous anger at the degree of ill-gotten wealth among the BN politicians, church leaders be it pastors, priests, elders, ministers cite bible verses reminding the congregation that “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. To justify poverty as a result of rampant corruption, Christ’s words that “the poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me” come in handy. To mitigate themselves from their failure to rise against corrupted and big bully politicians, church leaders state that vengeance is the Lord’s, not ours.


The Need for Change

The Holy Bible contains thousands of others verses beseeching the believer to pay more than lip service.

In recent times, there have been but few vocal Christian personalities, with the exception of Father O.C Lim of St Xavier’s Church, Petaling Jaya. As a Christian, I am searching for Christian leaders in the likes of biblical characters like Moses, Daniel, Nehemiah, Esther and Ruth – personalities who stepped out of their comfort zones to take a stand for righteousness and justice.

Instead I am seeing plentiful of Balaams and Jonahs – characters who speak what the powers-that-be desire to hear and quasi-leaders who speak up only when they had no other options.

These are merely my personal thoughts and experiences, not necessarily gospel truth. Nevertheless, he that hath ears, let him hear.
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