MCCBCHST frowns on harassment of Ambiga

In a press statement dated 1^st June 2012, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) had spoken up against the two protests that were held outside Ambiga’s house.

Touching on the Burger protest, they said it is a great insult to Ambiga, since she is a Hindu and a vegetarian. MCCBCHST felt that Malaysians are allowed to protest but those who do so must take care not to incite religious or racial disharmony.

The statement was signed by its president Daozhang Tan Hoe Chieow, the deputy president Sardar Jagir Singh, vice presidents Reverend Dr. Thomas Philips, Venerable Sing Kan, vice president RS. Mohan Shan, and  MCCBCHST secretary general Prematilaka KD Serisena.

They called on the prime minister to denounce the burger stall vendors and all those who assisted or participated in the protest.

“Is it part of 1Malaysia for Malaysians to offer foods to others when they know (or ought to know) that the eating of such food is against the religious or cultural precepts of the recipient?” asked MCCBCHST.

Moving on to the ‘Butt’ protest by the army veterans, they regarded it as a lewd and indecent act.  They were disappointed that the police did nothing to stop their act of indecency right in front of Ambiga’s house. Such acts, MCCBCHST said, will be renounced by all religions.

Both these so-called ‘protests’ outside Ambiga’s house were not, to our minds, legitimate expressions of opinion and protest.

The prime minister and all those in the government must clearly and unequivocally condemn those who took part in these acts of intimidation and inform them that such protests, especially outside the home of a private citizen, is wholly and utterly unacceptable and unethical.”

MCCBCHST said that the protests in front of Ambiga’s house, is a targeted attack against a private citizen in her family home.  Those protests were not genuine assemblies calling for reform as the attacks were meant to offend her religious sensitivities or in a lewd and indecent manner.

Learning that there are some other groups who wish to make similar protests outside the homes of public officials, they advised them against it.

“Let us keep official business and one’s private life separate, and respect the dignity of the person, the family and the home. When we protest, we should do so with decorum, peaceably and in the spirit of harmony and true national unity.”