DPM Najib Tun Razak proclaimed on 16th July that "We have never, never been secular… we are an Islamic state".
Subsequently, as reported in Malaysiakini, the Internal Security Ministry has confirmed that they have given a directive to all mainstream media not to publish any news on the issue of Malaysia being an Islamic state.
Publications Control & Al-Quran Texts Unit senior officer Che Din Yusof said, “Yes, we have given the directive to all mainstream newspapers. Islam is a sensitive issue. They cannot publish any news on whether the country is secular or Islam.”
However, he said newpapers can still publish statements from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak on the country being an Islamic state.
“Reaction from political parties and the public cannot be published especially the negative reactions,” he said.
In light of the seriousness of the above two major development on a ‘democratic’, multi-racial and multi-cultural Malaysia, and the reluctance of other BN component parties to pick up the gauntlet, the DAP is organising a public forum to discuss the above issues:
Panel of Distinguished SpeakersLim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition Leader
Ambiga Sreenevasan, Malaysia Bar Council President
Malik Imtiaz, Human Rights Lawyer
Khalid Ibrahim, PKR Treasurer
Rev Dr Hermen Shastri, General Secretary, Council of Churches*
Lim Guan Eng, Secretary-General to DAP* To be confirmed
Venue: KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall
Date: 25th July 2007 (Wednesday)
Time: 7.30 pmIf you feel strongly about the above issues, please bring friends and turn up in full force! Please forward this post to all concerned parties.
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I predict that this forum will not take off the ground in view of the latest development. I can assume the MCA will have rushed off to see UMNO Youth chief and also a quick consultation with DPM. The predicted scenario is a "cease-fire" and strict enforcement of the "ban" (imposed by the Ministry). So how could this forum take off? In the light of oppressive measures by UMNO against Malaysia Today, the political landscape has turned to the worse. Flimsy excuses of "national security" and "sensitivities" will rule the light of the day. Mind you, barring mat rempits and mobs have yet to be active in pushing their agendas.
Madmonk
Aside from the politics, Najib’s statement has some truth.
Do read my Negara Islam Uproar: Much Ado Over Nothing!