A lighted cross sets our prejudices aflame

TMI - Despite survey findings, Pastor Koh’s wife insists Christians are being persecuted (extracts):

SUSANNA Liew, the wife of missing Pastor Raymond Koh, believes there is still not enough religious tolerance in the country with Christians still being subtly persecuted.

This comes despite the World Watch List 2019 survey stating that Malaysia was among three countries globally that show “signs of hope” for Christians in 2019. Malaysia scored 42 out of 50 countries on the difficulties of practising Christianity.

Susanna Liew opined Malaysian Christians are still being persecuted in Malaysia despite a recent survey showing improvement to the treatment of the religious community.

The recent brouhaha about a lighted 'cross' on the front of an apartment building in Jelutong Penang has impressed upon her the general Islamic intolerance in Malaysia, thus accentuating the perception of Islamic paranoia by some Malaysian Muslims with regards to Christian and Hindu beliefs (though strangely I have not heard of similar displeasures against Buddhist, Taoist or Confucian practices).

Yes, that lighted 'cross' on the building facade has had the underwear of PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan (Mr Tantawi) all twisted up in Gordian-ish knots, when we heard him accusing one of the founders of Nova Mulia Development Sdn Bhd of promoting a Christianisation agenda.

While Mr Tantawi did not name the local person, most people believe he might have been referring to Annie Choo, who was named the Nehemiah Project (a Christian group) "rookie of the year" in 2015, according to a post on the company's Facebook page. That page is no longer available on the Nehemiah Project's web since three days ago after the brouhaha broke out, wakakaka.

Annie Choo with her cute dimples 

Recently I post From mere Cross to King of the World? in which I received the usual anti-Islamic (Islamophobes') rants against Islamist fascists, and childish and merajuk-ish provocations to remove the 'T' from my moniker of KayTeemoc, wakakaka.

Obviously none of my visitors-commentators have bothered to read what I wrote, to wit:

... based on DCM II Dr Ramasamy's chiding, in which he was reported to have said:

DCM II Penang Dr Ramasamy

"Why invite trouble by putting on a display that might just be used to provoke anger or concern? Developers in Penang must have some ethical and social responsibilities.

"If it is a religious place, say if it is a church compound, putting up or giving it a magnificent display is something acceptable in the country.

"However, if religious symbols are displayed in areas not designated for religious purposes, then there could be a problem."

I hope the Developer from now on will heed the wise words of Dr Rama and stop its silly onesupmanship, wakakaka again.

Nasrudin Hassan (Mr Tantawi)  

Wakakaka, in general I have would been the first, or among the earliest, to criticise any Islamist fascist for intrusive trampling on non-Muslim rights, but I have to concede this time that Mr Tantawi (PAS' Nasrudin Hassan) might have been correct (for once, wakakaka) for sniffing out a possible-alleged Christianisation agenda with the lighted 'cross'.

I based my belief not only on Dr Ramasamy's words but also those of Penang's Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who had stated (much earlier than Dr Rama):

"We have yet to get an explanation from the developer on why the lights were lit up in such a manner, but in the next picture when more lights were switched on, it shows a normal view or facade."

"I believe this is not a place of worship or church, but an apartment building."

If it's NOT a church or a Christian assembly building but just a mere apartment, why was there a lighted gigantic cross on that building's facade?

No doubt there was some pretty swift lateral thinking by some Chinese Confucians, wakakaka, who turned the 'cross' into the Chinese character 'ong' (2nd tone, meaning 'king', and Not the 3rd tone which would have meant to Lotto or 4-Ekor, "Watch out, here I come", wakakaka).

And it has to be said that with two mere horizontal strokes, those Chinese Confucians saved the asses of some Christians Hallelujah-ites, wakakaka.

Jesus promoted from a mere crucifix symbol to being "King' of the World (or Universe)

wakakaka

To remind you of the sage words of Dr Ramasamy, Malaysia's top Hindu advocate-defender:

"However, if religious symbols are displayed in areas not designated for religious purposes, then there could be a problem."

"Why invite trouble by putting on a display that might just be used to provoke anger or concern? Developers in Penang must have some ethical and social responsibilities."

So in ending this post, while I sympathise with Susanna Liew about her still missing pastor-husband, I do not agree with her belief that Muslim concerns about a lighted 'cross' on the front of an apartment building in Jelutong Penang demonstrated the general Islamic intolerance in Malaysia.

Though it may be difficult for Susanna Liew, sometimes we need to remember that Christianity comes from the Abrahamic group of religions as do Judaism and Islam. Thus it's not only Islam or Judaism but also Christianity which can be troublesome. 

Yes, these three religions are at times far from being pacifist, passive and peaceful.