C:\Documents and Settings\user\ - NECF Malaysia

$: C:\Documents and Settings\user\ - NECF Malaysia$
h t t p : / / w w w . n e c f . o r g . m y / h t m l / b e r i t a _ f . h t m P P 5 8 7 2 / 1 / 2 0 0 8 M A R C H – A P R I L 2 0 0 7

E D I T O R I A L

I N S I D ETHIS ISSUE

• It’s time to invest...............

• Toxic Leaders: How.......... not to lead

• The right to profess..........

• Joni Eareckson to join..... celebration in Malaysia

• Theological Education..... Crisis

• Safeguard rights of allMalaysians

• State Spot – Selangor.......

• SEE PAGE 3

A leader who has fallenshould not be left alone todeal with his sin(s). Thechurch should comealongside to help restorehim to wholeness.

It was St. Paul who wrote: “Here is atrustworthy saying that deserves fullacceptance: Christ Jesus came into the

world to save sinners...” (1 Tim. 1:15) IfJesus came to save sinners, we who modelour ministry on His must do the same.We are to “save” sinners.

Here is where the Church has beenfound wanting, especially with regards toleaders who fall. In the last editorial, welooked at accountability and theavoidance of pitfalls. Here, we examinethe appropriate response when a leaderfalls despite every precaution taken.

FORGIVENESSThe basic issue is forgiveness. What isforgiveness and what does it entail? Thetheological underpinning comes from 1Jn. 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he isfaithful and just and will forgive us our

sins and purify us from allunrighteousness.” While confession andrepentance does not negate theconsequences of sin, a person whoconfesses is nevertheless purified in aspiritual sense from all impurities andunrighteousness.

The sinner who has confessed andrepented must ideally come to such a placewhere he knows for sure he has beenforgiven by God, accepts himself and isaccepted by the same community wherethe sin was committed and found out.

The sinner does not have to hideaway. The stigma should not stick to theperson forever. Often, when a leaderfalls, the church’s first reaction is damagecontrol. While the well-being of thesheep and the reputation of the churchmust be protected, the welfare of thefallen leader is worthy of equal concern.

The ultimate aim is notto punish but to restore thefallen person. Thefollowing are a number ofpractical steps towardsrestoration.

We assume an autono-

mous local church setting but the basicprinciples apply to more complex ordenominational settings.

Accusation & ThoroughInvestigationThis is properly the first step because sooften, there is no repentance until the sinis discovered.

When an accusation is brought againsta leader, an inquiry should be set up toinvestigate the matter thoroughly. Theleader should be convicted only if thereis sufficient proof of wrongdoing.

2

4

5

7

10

12

14

2• Ber i ta NECF MARCH – APRIL 2007

NECF MALAYSIA COUNCILChairman

Rev. Eu Hong SengVice-Chairman

Elder Kong Yeng PhooiHonorary Secretary

Mr Samuel AngHonorary Treasurer

Dr Khoo Kay HupCommittee Members

Rev. Justin WanRev. Dexter Low

Rev. Ng Kok KeeRev. Foo Moy Peng

Rev. Simon ChandranPr Tay Wah Seng

Elder Chua Keng SengMrs Grace Hee

AdvisorElder David Boler, K.M.N.

Rev. Datuk Prince Guneratnam

NECF MALAYSIA STAFFSecretary-General

Rev. Wong Kim Kong, J.M.N.Executive Secretaries

Ann Low (Prayer)Kathryn Tan (Finance)

Patrick Cheng (LeadershipDevelopment )

Lim Siew Foong (Research)Cheong Sze Ying (Chinese)Cheong Sze Sian (Chinese)

Alfred Tais (Bahasa Malaysia)Simon S. Arputham (Administrator)Ong Juat Heng (Communications)

Rev. Lai Moo Him (Special Projects &Church Relations)

Sandy Tan (Secretary-General’s Office)Confidential Secretary

Ching Bee GaikAdministrative Secretaries

Yvonne ChinLeong Kit Wah

Sangan MutangAdministrative Assistants

Sally TanJouslly Buaya

Printed by Akitiara Corporation1 & 3, Jln TPP1/3, Tmn Industri Puchong

Batu 12, 47100 Puchong, Selangor

EDITORIALEditor

Rev. Wong Kim Kong, J.M.N.

Assistant Editor & WriterOng Juat Heng

ADDRESS32, Jalan SS2/103,

47300 Petaling JayaSelangor, MalaysiaTel: 603-7727 8227Fax: 603-7729 1139

E-mail: [email protected] • SEE NEXT PAGE

AS I write, we are witnessing aflurry of activity on internationalstock markets as investors seek

to ‘take profits’ after steady gains overthe last few months. I am always amazedat the urgency and diligence with whichstock-holders monitor their investments,acting swiftly to prevent losses orcapitalise on gains.

And as we rapidly approach the lastdays, I am reminded about God’s callfor us to be urgent and diligent in taskspertaining to the advancement of Hiskingdom – particularly that ofinvesting in the next generation.

The problem is, an often repeatedtruth becomes an empty slogan – itsrepetition slowly inoculates us into a modeof inaction, apathy and complacency!

At some point we mentally assentedto the statement’s validity, and at the same

time figured that we had taken it ‘onboard’. But as time goes by, the initialurgency diminishes and we are left witha slogan.

Israel was blessed to have a leaderlike Moses, who took the trouble togroom a godly successor in Joshua.

However, every generation must adoptthe same mindset. We must intentionallyset about identifying, training andgrooming the next generation because aswe see at the beginning of the book ofJudges, there was no one to carry onJoshua’s good work and build on the‘gains’ that he had made.

Joshua had made great strides duringhis generation but unfortunately failed tohand on the baton to the next. The result– many years of leadership instability andspiritual demise.

My constant prayer is for spiritualfathers to rise and invest in the nextgeneration. And please, no more mere“amens!” Nike has a lot to teach us –“Just do it!”

Like Joshua, we are in severe dangerof succeeding in this generation buthaving no spiritual legacy in the next. Weare not going to live forever…but thereis still [just!] time, I believe, to determinewhether we are going to leave behind aJoshua or a Judges generation.

At NECF, as we embark on a nation-building policy, we must not neglect tofocus on the group who will be the pillarsto sustain the current move of God in ourland. The Joshua generation will bepeople with the energy to “take” the newterritories that God is calling the churches

of Malaysia into.No doubt, as older men, we should

have accumulated wisdom, experienceand connections, but like Moses we alsoneed the energy, strength and “push” ofthe younger men to bring God’s workto completion.

In my recent travels to Europe, Inoted sadly that more than 80 percentof the churches there have congre-gations where the number of youngpeople is less than 10 percent of themembership.

My concern for the nations, as for

Joshua had made great strides during hisgeneration, but unfortunately failed to hand on the

baton to the next. Let’s not make his mistake.

It’s time to investBy Rev. Eu Hong SengChairman, NECF Malaysia

MARCH – APRIL 2007 Ber i ta NECF •3

of view this cannot be verified and anegative decision could have been madeearlier. So there is practically no way forthe person to return to ministry (at leastin the same place).

The tragedy of King Saul should bea warning for all of us not to take thingsfor granted. An unwillingness to repentat the earliest opportunity may not only

bar the door to future ministry, it mayalso cause our own hearts to harden.

There is a larger issue. How do weselect our leaders? Is it based on thecharacteristics mentioned in 1 Tim. 3:1–13 and Titus 1:5–9, or based on personalcharisma? Sometimes churches are soeager to rush their wounded leaders backto the frontline when there are so manyfaithful believers in the pews who arequalified to take on the leadership. Wedon’t want to “shoot the wounded” butwe really ought to require high moralstandards in the leadership.

Having said the above, however, itmust be reiterated that no sin should inprinciple bar a leader from ever returningto ministry. In fact, after a genuine andpainful process of repentance, the once-fallen leader may become even moreeffective.

LOVING ONE ANOTHEROn the night of His betrayal, Jesus toldHis disciples: “By this all men will knowthat you are my disciples, if you love oneanother.” (Jn. 13:35) This is whatcommunity is all about. The ultimate testof all our talk is our walk in love.

In conclusion, let us keep ourselvesfrom sin, encourage others (especially ourleaders) towards holiness and be kind tothose who fall. Who knows, somedaywe may need that grace too.

However, not every accusation oughtto be entertained. 1 Tim. 5:19 says: “Donot entertain an accusation against an elderunless it is brought by two or threewitnesses.” That’s the starting point.

Confession & RepentanceIf found guilty of the alleged sin, theleader should resign from the positionheld. He is also expected to confess andrepent. He confesses in word andrepents/turns from the sin in deed.

The sin has hurt the entire Body andthe confession must be public, forexample in a special service for churchmembers only. The fallen leader asks forforgiveness from the church and hisfamily. The church in return pledges toextend forgiveness.

Restoration to FellowshipThe fallen leader is then restored to thefellowship of believers. He may berequired to stay away for a period oftime for reflection and intensivecounselling, but he remains very much apart of the church.

Restoration to MinistryIn principle, no sin should foreverpreclude restoration to ministry, whetherin the same church or elsewhere. If thefallen leader intends to be restored toministry, a way should be made for him.

The following is a typical process ofrestoration to the ministry. A specialrestoration committee is formedconsisting of leadership inside and outsidethe church. This committee counsels thefallen leader over a specified period oftime, depending on the severity of thesin committed, and makes periodicreports to the church’s main leadership.

When the requirements of counsellingand repentance have been fulfilled,another special congregational meetingshould be held to formally accept thefull recovery of the fallen leader. Thismeeting ought to be conducted at thechurch where the sin was committed anddiscovered, and not at another churchwhose members did not bear the pain

of the leader’s fall. Of course, once thisis done, the leader may serve in anotherchurch at a later time.

It is essential that the counsellingprocess balances sternness and grace. Toomany hurdles or red tape discourages thesincere person who wants to go throughthe process. In the end, rules cannot helpanyone. The wisdom and discretion ofthe restoration committee are what count.

FURTHER THOUGHTSIn some real cases, a leader who hadfallen from grace was not allowed toreturn to the ministry. This could be dueto the extraordinary nature of the sin, orthe attitude shown by the leader whenthe sin was being uncovered.

In a recent much-publicised case, theoverseers decided on permanentdismissal based on the second reason.The lesson for all leaders is that trust, oncebroken, is very difficult restore.

While from a divine point of viewthe fallen leader may later meet the criteriaof total repentance, from a human point

• FROM COVER: AFTER THE FALL, WHAT?

“While the well-being of thesheep and the reputation of thechurch must be protected, thewelfare of the fallen leader isworthy of equal concern. Theultimate aim is not to punish butto restore the fallen person.”

ours, is for the vitality and health of theChurch of Jesus Christ in thegenerations to come.

It’s time to be practical. Let’s beginto “just do it.” Believe in our youths,

encourage them, sponsor them andmake room for them.

Without doubt, unlike the currentstock market situation, it is time to“buy, buy, buy” as we seek to “buyinto” and invest in tomorrow’ssuccessors, today.

• FROM PREVIOUS PAGE


Popularity and power have anintoxicating effectUnfettered power and undeniablepopularity can condition a leader tobelieve in his own publicity. The road tohell is paved with many good intentions.Most toxic leaders start off wanting tomake the world better. And they did so,at least initially. However, success andfame eventually get into their heads. Theybecome more powerful as theirfollowers, having tasted victory, entrustthem with more and more power. Verysoon, their popularity turns into grandiosedelusions and fame into infamy.

Self-centered Arrogance: Believingthat we can do no wrong

Peter Drucker warns, “The leaderwho basically focuses on himself orherself is going to mislead. The threemost charismatic leaders in this centuryinflicted more suffering on the humanrace than almost any trio in history: Hitler,Stalin and Mao.”3

Pride is essentially self-centeredness

Toxic Leaders: How Not to LeadNobody starts out to be toxic. Neither does anyone aspire to be a toxic leader. Toxicity, like a wild

gangrene, grows in us. It is a built-up trait. It thrives on chaotic environment.It surrounds itself with other toxic loyalists and kills off those who don’t follow their rules.

In other words, toxic leaders can create hell on earth! In this first part of a two-part article,JOHN NG explores how one becomes a toxic leader.

paraded on the stage with aspotlight shining on the “specialone.” The others in the teampale into insignificance or atmost, serve as a supportingcast. Toxic leaders believe thatthey are the “special ones” andtherefore untouchable.

“The psychopath has noallegiance to the company at all,just to self. A psychopath is playing ashort-term parasitic game,” reports PaulBabiak, an industrial psychologist.

They live on their followers and thefollowers on them. It becomes anincestuous co-dependency. This leads tothe belief by their followers that they cando no wrong. Or even if they do, theirmistakes and misdemeanors are coveredup or justified. “Anyway, who can beperfect?” is the mantra for their coterieof hangers-on. Crises serve and reinforce self-belief and positionCrises often offer positive opportunitiesfor toxic leaders to thrive because theycan crystallise the agenda to achieve focusfor accomplishing tasks. Bureaucraticobstacles can be bypassed in the nameof “survival.” Often leaders like to keeptheir organisations in constant crisis modeso that they can perpetuate their powers,philosophy and policies.

In a cover story, “Is Your Boss APsychopath?” Alan Deutschman, a seniorwriter for FastCompany, writes, “There’sevidence that the business climate hasbecome more hospitable to psychopathsin recent years.” And “…the NewEconomy, with its rule-breaking androller-coaster results, is just dandy forfolks with psychopathic traits.”5

Severe downsizing,restructuring, mergers andacquisitions, fueled by anuncertain economy allowtoxic leaders to thrive as theyhave no difficulty dealingwith the consequences ofrapid change like choppingoff people, cooking thebooks, and displaying

uncouth behaviors.Paul Babiak asserts, “Organisational

chaos provides both the necessarystimulation for psychopathic thrill-seekingand sufficient cover for psychopathicmanipulation and abusive behavior.”

Unchecked weakness – Blindloyalty is rewardedAlthough character flaws begin to surfaceand loom large, this is often leftunchecked. In fact, their weakness iscovered up by their strengths. AlanDeutschman reports that psychopathicbosses are typically likeable.

They make us believe that theyreciprocate loyalty and friendship. Theyhave developed an actor’s expertise inevoking our empathy which makes iteasier for them to “play” us.6

According to Michael Maccoby, apsychotherapist, “They have an elementof emotional intelligence, of being ableto see our emotions very clearly andmanipulate them.”7 When we realise thatthey were conning us all along, we feelbetrayed.

With their consolidated power andunchallenged authority, whistle blowersare very few in between. Loyalists arerecognised and championed.

“The spirit of an organisation is created atthe top.” ~ Peter Drucker 1

“We’re worshipful of top executives who

seem charismatic, visionary and tough. Solong as they’re lifting profits and stock

prices, we’re willing to overlook that theycan also be callous, conning, manipulative,

deceitful, verbally and psychologicallyabusive, remorseless, exploitative, self-

delusional, irresponsible andmegalomaniacal. So we collude in the

elevation of leaders who are sadlyinsensitive to hurting others and

society at large.”~ Alan Deutschman 2

???


Firstly, everyone is to practise hisreligion peaceably and harmoniously; andsecondly, everyone must be permitted topractise his religion in peace and harmony,that is, without unconstitutionalcompulsion or interference.

The right to practise one’s religionconstitutes the active and participatoryaspects of the freedom of religion,which includes the right to take part invarious forms of worship, prayer,observances, rites, ceremonies andrituals.

Other elements of this right are:• The right to assemble and

associate for religious purposes;

• The rightto free and fair access to the principalscriptures, as well as other religiousliterature, is fundamental to the practiceof religion; and

• The right to own, publish anddisseminate these literatures and the useof modern media of communication isan integral part of this right.

However, all these are subject toArticle 11(5) which limits the exerciseof rel igious freedom on threegrounds: public order, public healthand morality.

The Right to Profess

When we talk aboutfreedom of religion,we usually think about the

right to profess and practice religion.That is right, but freedom of religion

goes beyond that – it includes the rightnot to have a religion.

Just like a person cannot be subjectedagainst his wish or will to profess or tobelong in any religion, he cannot becompelled to profess a religion.

However, this freedom (to have ornot to have a religion) applies only to thoseof the majority age (18 years and above).

Those below the majority agecome under the charge of theirparents or guardians and are requiredby law to be subject to their guardians’choice of religion.

The right to profess a religionincludes the right to: believe or havefaith in a religion according to one’sconscience, declare openly and affirmby words or deeds one’s faith andallegiance to the religion of one’schoice.

Furthermore, the individual hasthe right to wear some apparel – forexample a “tudung” (headscarf) or asymbol (a cross as a mark) – to showthat he is an adherent and a follower ofthat particular religion.

Other aspects of “profession ofreligion” include:

• Adopting a religion where theindividual had no previous religiousconvictions;

• Adopting another religion orchanging one’s religion or converting toanother religion of one’s conviction; and

• Assuming a new name whichmay have religious significance, orabandoning and renouncing a formername which also has such significance.

Article 3 of the Federal Constitution,which guarantees citizens the freedom topractise their religion, has two aspects.

By Lim Heng Seng

(Lim Heng Seng is the former chairman of theIndustrial Court and now a senior partner at alegal firm. He is also a member of the NECF

Malaysia Religious Liberty Commission.)

THE Celebration of Hope Malaysia(COHM) is an initiative of theMalaysian Church together withBGEA to reach out to the communitywith the love of Jesus.

This 10-month project, which willculminate during Christmas season, isbased on the biblical model of“Friends of Matthew”, whereMatthew invited his friends to his housefor a meal while listening to Jesus.

Numerous churches under variousdenominations throughout Malaysia areparticipating in the project that will train,equip and mobilise individualChristians to capitialise on theChristmas season to share Christ’s love.

The COHM office is located at 16A,Jalan SS2/72, Petaling Jaya.

The contacts are: 7710 3721 (tel.);and 7710 3750 (fax).

Hope in Malaysia


???As a result, the toxic leaders’ growing

weaknesses and corrupt schemes are leftunimpeded.

John Ng, Ph.D, is the president of Meta HR& Communication, a ministry of EaglesCommunications Singapore. This article firstappeared in the March 2006 issue ofMetaTrends, the organisation’s leadershippublication. Printed with permission.

Next issue: Check your toxicity levelwith these seven questions

Endnotes1 Drucker, P. & Maciariello, 2004. J.A. TheDaily Drucker. HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

New York, NY. USA.2 Deutschman, A. Is Your Boss A Psychopath?Fast Company, July 2005 pp 46–51.3 Drucker, P. & Maciariello, 2004. J.A. TheDaily Drucker. HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.New York, NY. USA.

4 Deutschman, A. Is Your Boss A Psychopath?Fast Company, July 2005 pp 46–51.5 Ibid.6 Ibid.7 Ibid


Children are sensitive to God’svoice and He will use them tobe His agents of transformation

in their homes, communities and thenation. That’s why He is actively raisingthem for the ministries of intercession,praise and worship, healing and prophecy.

And because they have the same HolySpirit that resides in adults, they have thesame potential to do great exploits forGod. Participants shared this convictionat the recent Children In Prayer NationalConsultation in Johor Baru after hearingthe reports from various ministriestargeted at children, such as VivaNetwork, Esther Network and GraceManna House.

About 90 people involved inministries to children attended theconsultation organised by the NECFMalaysia Prayer Commission. Theyconcurred that both the Church andparents have a crucial role in efforts toraise “praying and worshipping children”.

And to help the Church and parentsin their efforts, they agreed to form aNational Children’s Prayer Networkunder NECF., and led by its ExecutiveSecretary (Prayer), Ann Low, as NationalCoordinator.

Regional heads were also appointed.They are: Pr Mei Soon (North); Lei Wah

(Central); Elder Lim and Priscilla Ng(East Coast); Carol Perumal (South);Mei Chan (Sabah); and Pat Wong(Sarawak).

The network set several objectives,some of which are:

• To bring awareness and passion forraising children in prayer throughequipping and mentoring; and

• To identify and link with existingorganisations/ministries that work withchildren.

At the start of the consultation, Annshared the need to raise awareness andpassion on the role of children inintercession.

Speaker Pr Sam Phun then spokeabout the importance of knowing ourchildren well enough to be able to reachout to them. “What is required is work,mentoring, prayer and uncompromisingfaithfulness to God’s call in raising a newgeneration for His end-time purposes,”he said.

The consultation closed with a timeof commissioning and anointing for allparticipants as they sought God fordirection in the task ahead – to inspire,develop and mobilise children to pray.

Some children were present at theconsultation and there was a meaningfultime of repentance as the adult

participants apologised to the children forneglecting them and failing to followthrough their calling. The childrenresponded by apologising for beingdisobedient and not recognising the lovethat God had given in their lives. Therewas hardly a dry eye during this time ofrenewal.

Commenting on the consultation, oneparticipant said it was an eye-opener tolearn that children are a big part of theChurch and members of the Body ofChrist; they have the same Holy Spirit andgifts that adults have. Another delegatewho found the consultation an eye-openeris Tan Phaik Hoon from Viva Network,who was amazed at the way God ismoving to raise children as powerfulpartners in His work.

Perhaps the best comment camefrom Carmen Chew, 12, who said, “Iwish there was more time to learn aboutGod. The time you gave us to learn istoo little because this is such a useful andinteresting meeting.”

Central Region Prayer Consultation

Third Prayer Network Formed

Onward, children intercessors

AMID the troubles in this land, God’speople have been entrusted with theresponsibility to gather to share, consult,pray and strategise. And as the countryfaces increasing internal and externalthreats, there is now great urgency to prayfor the nation.

“God is interested in nations and Hehas changed the course of nations ashistory has shown. I believe our nationtoo can change,” said Rev. Andy Chi.

The chairman of the NECF MalaysiaPrayer Commission was speaking at thefirst Central Region Prayer Consultation

in February, attended by 51 delegatesfrom 34 churches in the central region(Selangor, Wilayah and Perak).

He shared NECF’s vision, which isto unite the Body of Christ for atransformed nation. The consultation,organised by the commission, aims tomobilise churches to network and prayto achieve the vision.

Keynote speaker NECF Secretary-General Rev. Wong Kim Kong talkedabout the national challenges, particularlyreligious activism, and pointed to thebook of Esther to show how Christians

should engage themselves in the nation’saffairs.

Engaging the government is anecessary part of our Christianresponsibility, he stressed. Sadly, mostChristians are apathetic towards politicsbecause they consider it dirty.

He also cautioned intercessors not tobe “triumphalistic” but to get “down toearth”. In his conclusion, he exhorted,“Powerful movements begin withpeople, small groups of men andwomen, who are willing to tithe theirtime and abilities outside their ownscope of ministry.

???6• Ber i ta NECF MARCH – APRIL 2007


Joni Eareckson Tada, the plucky lady who has inspiredmillions all over the world with her life and books, will becoming to Malaysia in July to grace NECF Malaysia’s 25th

anniversary.Renowned throughout the world as the indomitable

quadriplegic who paints by holding a brush in her mouth,Joni is founder and CEO of Joni and Friends, an organisationaimed at accelerating Christian ministry in the disabledcommunity.

She has written over 35 books, some of which are Tell MeThe Truth, A Victory Through Sufffering, Heaven…Your Real Home,and Life and Death Dilemma, and her international best-sellingautobiography, Joni. She also co-authored When God Weeps:Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty (co-authored by SteveEstes), a book that systematically examines the mystery ofsuffering.

Joni’s life as a quadriplegic started in 1967 after a divingaccident. During her two years of rehabilitation, she spentlong months learning how to paint with a brush between herteeth. Her fine art paintings and prints are sought after andcollected. After the two-year rehabilitation, Joni re-enteredthe community with new skills and a fresh determination tohelp others in similar situations.

Joni’s work has mainly focused on influencing the churchon disability-related issues. However, her impact is felt beyondthe Christian community. Her role as a disability advocate led

to a presidential appointment to the National Council onDisability for three and a half years, during which time theAmericans with Disabilities Act became law. In 2005, JoniEareckson Tada was appointed to the Disability AdvisoryCommittee of the U.S. State Department.

Joni has received numerous awards, including The AmericanAcademy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award and Gold MedallionLifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical ChristianPublishers Association. She is also the first woman to behonoured by the National Association of Evangelicals as their“Layperson of the Year.”

Joni is married to Ken Tada, who in 2001 received theFamily Life Ministries’ Robertson McQuilken Award honouring“The Courageous Love of a Marriage Covenant Keeper.”

Joni to Join Celebration in Malaysia

Joni will be speaking at the following meetings organised by NECF:• NECF anniversary banquet on July 30 (Monday) night at Dewan PGRM, Kuala Lumpur;

• National Pastors and Leaders Consultation on July 31 (Tuesday); and• NECF public meeting on July 31 night.

Our barometer of success before theLord is when local churches gather topray and members tithe to this cause. Thiswill not be an individual success but acorporate success, and the favour of Godwill be on His people.”

During the consultation,representatives from various towns in thestates shared the challenges their townsare facing. They then broke into smallgroups for intercession. They also prayedfor locations which do not have anychurch or whose churches have less than20 Christians (listing compiled from theDepartment of Statistics).

At the end of the consultation, the

delegates agreed to form a central prayernetwork aimed at building relationshipsand mobilising prayer in the region.

State coordinators were appointed,being Dr Chan Geok Oon for Perak;Jeremiah Gun (assisted by Leong DaiMay) for Selangor; and Pr Looi KokKhim (assisted by Pr Rennie Tan and PrJosephine Lu) for Wilayah.

This is the third regional prayerconsultation, the first two being thenorthern and southern peninsular regions.

The commission is currentlyplanning the fourth consultation for EastCoast churches and hopes to establish anational prayer network by year end.

???

BLOWN AWAY... Ling Bek Sing, seniorpastor of High Praise Ipoh and Church ofSitiawan, was blown away by the surprisebirthday celebration the delegates gave him atthe consultation. Strengthening relationship isa high priority for the prayer leaders andintercessors.



Current Concernsfor your prayers

A Muslim convert can make anapplication to the syariah court to converthis/her underage children without theconsent of the non-Muslim spouse(NST, Mar 14). In a landmark ruling onthe case of R. Subashini, the Court ofAppeal also held that a non-Muslimmarried to a person who has convertedto Islam has to seek remedy in the syariahcourt over family matters.

However, the three Court of Appealjudges were divided in their opinions, withDatuk Gopal Sri Ram taking thedissenting view. Judges Datuk SuriyadiHalim Omar and Datuk Hasan Lahdismissed with costs the appeal ofSubashini, 28, a company secretary, whowanted an injunction to restrain herhusband, Muhammad Shafi SaravananAbdullah, 30, a businessman, from: i)converting their two children, DharvinJoshua, 3, and one-year-old Sharvind toIslam; and ii) commencing anyproceeding in any syariah court withregard to their civil marriage.

Subashini is appealing to the FederalCourt against the Court of Appeal’sdecision.

Suriyadi said from the Islamic pointof view, the marriage between Shafi andSubshini had ended upon his conversionand the next step was a formaldissolution of the marriage.

Hasan said the Law Reform(Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 gaveSubshini the right to apply to the HighCourt but the civil court could not issuea stay order (under the Specific ReliefAct 1950) on matters involving the syariahcourt. “The wife is therefore in a catch-22 situation. But she has a recourse undera provision in the Administration ofIslamic Law (Federal Territories) Act,” hesaid, adding that Subashini could apply

No need forconsent of non-Muslim spouse

to the Syariah Appeal Court to exerciseits supervisory and revisionary powersto make a ruling on the legality of thehusband’s application on grounds that thesyariah court lacked jurisdiction and thatshe was a non-Muslim.

Sri Ram said the syariah courts onlyhave jurisdiction over persons professingthe Islamic faith and added that theIslamic Family Law (Federal Territories)Act 1984 conferred jurisdiction on thesyariah court over matrimonial mattersonly where all parties to the proceedingswere Muslims.

“It would therefore appear that in thepresent case the syariah court has nojurisdiction as the husband (Shafi) is aMuslim while the wife, a Hindu.”

He said the Law Reform (Marriageand Divorce) Act 1976 gave the HighCourt the jurisdiction to hear a wife’spetition despite the husband convertingto Islam. The injunction sought bySubaashini was only against the husbandand not the syariah court, and as such,the High Court had erred in law in notgiving Subshini the relief she had sought.

The judges’ varied opinions onceagain highlight the urgent need to clarifythe laws. Pray for justice for those whoare caught in cases such as this, and forthe authorities, particularly the Attorney-General, to act quickly and decisively tosolve the many issues arising from ourdual legal system. (Read also statementon page 12 for further information.)

Police are investigating two top leadersfor corruption after allegations againstthem were posted on the Internet.

ACA director-general Datuk SeriZulkipli Mat Noor is accused of beinginvolved in immoral and criminalactivities, but police are probing whetherhe declared his assets. Deputy InternalSecurity Minister Datuk Mohd JohariBaharum is being investigated overallegations that he had received more than

Corruption watch

RM5 million for releasing threeEmergency Ordinance detainees.

Commenting on the latter case,Inspector-General of Police Tan SriMusa Hassan said, “We cannot say theallegation is baseless until the probe iscompleted. There has been a lot offinger-pointing which has led to someconfusion.” (NST, Mar 5)

On the ACA chief’s case, Minister inthe Prime Minister’s Department DatukSeri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said,“Under our judiciary system, a man isinnocent until proven guilty and he’s notfound guilty by the newspapers but bythe courts of law.” (The Star, Mar 2)

The most assuring comments camefrom the Prime Minister who, whencommenting on the two cases, said,“…people and we (the top leaders) wanta clean, good and corruption-freeGovernment and an administration thatprovides high quality and excellentservices.”

Pray for transparency, integrity,courage and fairness on the part of thepolice as they investigate these two cases(and all other cases). The authorities willlive up to the words of Datuk Seri Nazri,“The law should apply equally toeveryone, regardless of his position.” (TheStar, Mar 2)

The National Education Blueprint thatwas unveiled in January is another effortto overhaul our national education system– something that has been recognised,and presumably admitted, by many tobe one of our major challenges in the21st century.

We know what needs to be fixed, thequestion now is whether there is enoughdesire to push through and implementthis “blueprint of collective wisdom”, asZainul Arrifin said in his column in TheNew Straits Times on Jan 24.

He raised the question: Will there be

Education systemoverhaul


enough people – and may we add, thepolitical will - who would be willing tocompromise racial, religious and politicalinterests for the greater good?

Let’s pray earnestly for our leaders tohave the political will and the courage topush through the necessary changes thatwill help towards building future citizenswho are respectful of each other’sdifferences, and who are ready to face aglobalised world. As Zainul cautioned,”The generations ahead will reap, orsuffer, by our deeds.”

Sports is probably the best remedy tocounter drug abuse and social ills amongyouths, according to Youth and SportsMinister Datuk Azalina Othman Said.

Statistics show there are over 12,000new dug addicts in 2005, of which over8,500 are Malays.

Meanwhile a UKM survey on 887troubled schoolgirls has found all but oneof them have had sex. The three-monthHigh Risk Female Youth Profile Study,which ended last December, took 20problem schoolgirls aged between 15and 16 from each school in a state.

A local daily reported that it isbelieved the study was initiated by theSelangor state government who wantedto formulate a special training moduleto promote high moral values among thegirls based on the study.

Apart from sex, the study alsoshowed that most of the respondentstook drugs, indulged in pornography, andwere involved in secret societies,vandalism and truancy.

Most of them were poor in theiracademic achievements, communicationskills, had low self-esteem and lackedproblem-solving skills.

Pray firstly that our Christian youthswill be a good role model to society. Ptayfor churches and Christian parents toexercise their responsibilities in nurturinggodly youths.

Sports and youths

Our highlands are warming up, withtemperatures there rising between 2ºCand 3ºC in the last 25 years due to theclearing of forests and over-development(The Star, 26 Feb). Global EnvironmentCentre (GEC) director Faizal Parish saidthe clearing of trees had resulted in a“microclimate change”, which means aclimate change within that area. Faizal saidtrees cooled the air around them andadded that one big tree is the equivalentto 10 air conditioners.

“While 1ºC or 2ºC does not soundlike much, these small changes can causemajor changes in the rainfall and weatherpatterns, which in turn can affect crops,”he said.

Another report said that KualaLumpur, Penang, Johor Baru andPutrajaya are 5ºC hotter than other citiesin the country (The Star, Mar 6).

This is due to the rapid developmentand the lack of trees. The nights are alsohotter due to the concrete surfaces andgrounds covered with tar and tiles whichtrap heat during the day and release itduring the night.

Drainage and Irrigation Departmentdeputy director-general (I) Ahmad FuadEmbi said that low-maintenance plantssuch as palms, instead of trees thatprovide more shade, do not help to cooltemperatures.

The temperature of the “concrete”cities can hit 40ºC, a contributing factorto global warming that brings aboutheavy rain and flash floods.

Climate change has causedenvironmental disasters that have struckthe world over. Malaysia has not beenspared, as the recent devastating floodsin Johore have proven. Pray that ourleaders will look seriously into the illeffects of haphazard development andtake stern measures to guard theenvironment.

Ahmad Fuad has also recommended

that Malaysia follows the guidelinesprovided by the International Council forLocal Environmental Initiatives to reducedamage to the environment. Theguidelines include six “cooling” policiesthat will help bring down temperaturesin the cities. Pray for the authorities toheed the warning and recommendationsof the experts.

Meanwhile, Asean has finally come upwih a tangible plan to fight the region’sannual haze problem after 11 years ofcountless meetings (The Star, Mar 5).Singapore and Malaysia will helpIndonesia in, among other things,executing methods of land clearingwithout burning and managing differenttypes of land.

Praise God for this as the yearly hazehas caused much distress for many,especially those in the Klang Valley. Prayfor an inceased awareness on the need tocare for our environment.

Temperatures rising

Motorcyclists form the majority of thosewho died in road accidents, accordingto Federal traffic chief Senior AsstComm (II) Datuk Nooryah Md Anvar.To check this problem, she has directedher staff to conduct frequent roadblocksto nab offenders.

She also issued a directive to herofficers to seize motorcycles withoutroad tax and insurance and if the ridersdo not have licences. The efforts hasbegun to pay off as deaths ofmotorcyclists have been halved from adaily average of 10.

Traffic police also conducted amassive roadblock exercise on Feb 24midnight and within 24 hours, theyrounded up 5,000 motorcyclists in KualaLumpur, Ipoh, Terengganu and Selangor.

Pray for the traffic police, especiallyfor their chief Nooryah, as they workdiligently to keep public roads safe. Prayalso that firm action will be taken againstcorrupt traffic police.

Traffic police

Current Concernsfor your prayers


? he Rev. Howard Peskett,former Dean of theDiscipleship Training

Centre, Singapore, discussed the epidemicsearch for doctorates in America.1 Peskettalso mentioned a proposal that combinedthe appetite for degrees with the searchfor equality: to award doctorates toeveryone at birth!

The above sentiments are not entirelyfrivolous as theological educators andstudents are all too aware that manytheological courses need to be improved,re-written and re-packaged. Such a crisishas in turn produced an epidemic searchfor credentials and degrees, if not for‘paper qualifications’, or some form oftraining that is relevant and immediatelyuseful to a pragmatically purpose-drivenchurch.

Such a scenario reflects themisunderstanding of the purpose andfunction of theological education amongchurch leaders, as well as the shortcomingsof many theological institutionsthemselves. This is especially true whenthey become more ‘market driven’ toproduce more graduates to serve thechurches and to upgrade theirprogrammes the way some businesses‘upgrade’ their brands!

We need not here trace the rise anddecline of theological and educationinstitutions from the early churchmonastic movements through themedieval cathedral schools and universitiesthat made theology the queen of thesciences. We also do not need to tracethe developments that the terms“theologian” and “theology” underwentfrom initially in the early monastictradition – respectively as “a man who

prays and walks with God” and “apersonal experiential knowledge of Godand His Word” – to the bad press andnegative images that these two terms haveacquired in modern times in too manycircles. It is sufficient to know that, as inall disciplines and professions, we can seekto “reclaim theology from thetheologians” by our integrity and passionfor God and the truth, and for ourpresent context.

What has been happening inAfghanistan, the Middle East andelsewhere since the infamous Sept 11bombing seems to have further hardenedthe perception that - whether inChristendom or in Islam – “theologians”(especially of the fundamentalist variety)are dangerous or irrelevant.

In actual fact, such events could beused to demonstrate the opposite claim:the very failure to critically reflect and

theologise properly, leading to thepossibility of not only ultra-fundamentalIslamic groups like the Talibans or Al-Qaeda, but also the ultra-right wing,Bible-thumping “evangelicals” who havebeen nicknamed “Christian Talibans”. Atanother level, without theologicalreflection, we can also see that if thereare some Muslims who are blindly pro-Arab and all things Arab, there are alsosome Christians who are blindly pro-Israel and all things Jewish.

We should note that there is moreunity or tolerance among churches now,as among the major seminaries, but thereare continuing tensions between Churchand Seminary. This is tragic, although it isparalleled by the tensions between theState and the University (“Town andGown”). The two respective pairs ofentities ought to work together. Instead,the Church (or State) accuses the Seminary

(or university) for producing“unemployable graduates”. But for theseminary/university to follow the dictatesof the Church/State uncritically is toforfeit its intellectual and prophetic witnessto the sanctity and unity of all truth. Yetnot to relate closely to the Church makesthe Seminary an irrelevant ivory towerwithout a pastoral base. Such confusionsand tensions are reflected in the three areasbelow:

• The current pastoral theology andpractices, church leadership andmanagement.

• The well-intentioned but somewhatindiscriminate proliferation ofindependent or local church-based andChristian NGO-sponsored theological orBible schools and institutes. Too manyof these are not accredited by anycredible national or internationaleducation or theological body.

• The epidemic quest for diplomas,bachelor’s, masters and doctoral degrees.

Degrees are not necessarily indicativeof quality training. Hence the joke amongmany is that the church can “die bydegrees”, or that Jesus (or the prophets,the 12 disciples, or John the Baptist) neverhad a degree. Two decades ago, aChristian NGO leader boasted that theonly degree needed was “P.E.” – PersonalExperience or otherwise “P.H.D.” –Preaching, Healing and Deliverance.

Today, Malaysian Christian leaders,including those from the independentchurches, are more conscious of the needfor more than just “P.E.”. Their issueswith regards theological training are withrelevance, duration, stream (evangelical orcharismatic – today both words needqualification) and etc.

By Rev. Loh Soon Choy, M.Th.

?????????????????????

??????

???


Many can see or sense that since theReformation, not only has the Word of Godgone back to the laity, but also the Ministry ofthe Word such as preaching and teaching in theChurch – as well as the Sacraments, includingthe marrying and the burying of the dead in non-denominational, independent churches – in linewith their view of the priesthood of believers.

Besides being the new clergy in church, theyare also multi-gifted high-income professionals orcorporate figures in the marketplace.

In the past, “ordinary” males go into church work, and the“cleverer” ones, if they love the Lord, dominate in the larger“Kingdom work” outside the church in Christian and secularNGOs and volunteer social concern ministries.

Today, these gifted articulate market-place leaders andprofessionals dominate in the church and are the church boardor council members, especially in the non-denominational, newerindependent or “emerging” churches. Some are lay-pastorsthemselves.

Many can even be suspicious of traditional seminary-trainedor ordained ministers. This is natural but unfortunate, comingas they often do from the corporate world. This situation canlead to the corporatisation of the church.

While some leaders still place emphasis on their “P.E.”,including their achievements and networks, they can also beseduced by such advertisements as “experience is important,but degrees do help” (to open further doors? to gain furthercredibility, especially in the target circle or field of service, suchas in church and Christian work local or overseas? and hopefullynot just to go on an ego trip!).

With the above factors and influences combined, we cansee why there is such a variety of degrees and awards offered

by a variety of theological institutions, initiatives andconsortiums in a variety of ways. These include

sometimes, as an over-generous transfer ofcredits and other provisions to customise

programmes and courses to fit theprospective candidate’s past experience andachievements, in order to grant them

advanced or mature standing that they maybe the more speedily accredited or equipped

for the church. Such a desire to produce resultsin the guise of producing qualified or certified

church workers have made some church schools do awaywith exams and written assignments. In other instances, studentsare seldom failed.

God’s work done in God’s way – like Elijah’s or Samuel’sSchools of prophets of old – will never be irrelevant.

The Church belongs to Him. Theological education and itsfuture are for the Church and the advancement of His Kingdom.Even if the above confusion and tensions amount to a crisis,each crisis carries an opportunity and challenge – even in thecontext of our multi-cultural, multi-religious society with Islamas the official and dominant religion, rampant materialism,modern and post-modern challenges.

We may not always be able to respond to the external socio-political challenges, but we can certainly try to manage twocategorical, internal or institutional, challenges within our Church-seminary Christian community.

This extract is contributed by the NECF Malaysia Research Commission.Read the full article in the Watchmen Forum V book entitled “A Spiritual

Healthcheck of the Church in Malaysia”, available from NECF at RM12per copy. See below for more information.Endnotes1 Howard Peskett, “Tweedle D. D./Tweedle D. Dum” in Eternity magazine,June 1978 issue.

???

What are the current issues that theMalaysian Church is grappling

with? Find out from this book publishedby the NECF Malaysia ResearchCommission. The fifth in thecommission’s Watchmen Forum series,the book covers topics ranging fromspirituality to Christian education to theenvironment.

Feedback from a reader in theU.S.A via e-mail

“Very impressed by the articles. It washard for me not to want to repent on behalf

of the American Church, which has in manyways infected the world with a very shallowChristian experience. You describe it asindividualism, where I see it as a primarynarcissism of the (especially charismatic) wingof the Church in America.

We have exported growth for the sake ofgrowth, magic vs maturity in Christ. Having afocus on spiritual formation or discipleship is akey to reverse the lack in many congregations.

Thanks for exposing this problem, and mayGod give you and key leaders of the MalaysianChurch grace to reverse the self absorption ofthe church at large.” –Stan Stan E. DeKoven,Ph.D., President, Vision International EducationNetwork, California, USA.

How healthy is the Church in Malaysia?


In the wake of the majority decision of the Court of Appealin the case of Saravanan A/L Thangathony v. Subashini A/P Rajasingam [Rayuan Sivil No. W-02-955-2006] we, the

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity,Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), are greatlydisappointed that once again, the non-converting non-Muslimwife of a convert to Islam has failed to get relief from ourCivil Courts.

Hitherto, in the case of S. Shamala, she was told by the HighCourt that it had no jurisdiction to declare as unlawful her youngchildren’s conversion into Islam without her knowledge orconsent and was advised to seek the assistance of the Islamicauthorities. Following that, the widow of Everest hero, the lateSgt. M. Moorthy, also failed to get relief from the High Courton the ground of jurisdiction.

Following an uproar from civil society, the Right HonorablePrime Minister declared that although Article 121(1A) of theConstitution would not be amended, laws will be amended toremedy the situation. Though it has been more than a year sincethen, there have been no amendments to any law as yet toclarify the jurisdiction of the Courts. We regret that our CivilCourts have continued to fail in their constitutional duty to protectthe rights of all Malaysians, including non-Muslims, as can beseen in this latest case.

In Subashini’s case, the husband converted to Islam andconverted the elder son, aged 3, to Islam without the wife’sknowledge or consent. The husband then applied to the SyariahCourt for custody of the son, again with no notice to the wife.

The wife then presented a petition for divorce and ancillaryrelief and applied to the High Court for an injunction restrainingthe husband from (i) converting the children of the marriage toIslam, and (ii) commencing or continuing with any proceedingsin any Syariah Court with regard to the marriage or the childrenof the marriage. The High Court initially granted an injunctionafter hearing only the wife, who at that time did not know ofthe substance of her husband’s applications in the Syariah courts.

This injunction was continued whilst the case was heard inthe High Court. After the husband submitted his evidence, andafter the High Court heard both parties, it refused to give theinjunction. However, the High Court granted an interiminjunction to the wife pending the hearing of an appeal to theCourt of Appeal, known as an “Erinford Injunction”.

The majority decision of the Court of Appeal dismissedthe wife’s appeal and set aside the Erinford Injunction withcost, effectively shutting the door on Subashini’s rights as amother to prevent the Syariah court making a determination asto her marriage and as to the custody of her children. To add

to her problem, the majority ruled that Subashini, a non-Muslim,must apply to the Syariah Court, instead of applying to theHigh Court. Of particular concern to us is the statement by YADato’ Hasan Lah, JCA, that the High Court and the SyariahCourt must be regarded as having the same standing in thiscountry.

We are also concerned to note that the grounds ofjudgment of the learned YA Datuk Suriyadi Halim Omar, JCA,quoted a verse from the Quran and appeared to be elevatingthe role and prominence of Islamic law and the Islamic judicialsystem in Malaysia.

We would respectfully remind members of the Judiciarythat the Federal Court, Court of Appeal and the High Courtsin Malaya and in Sabah and Sarawak are all civil courts andJudges of those courts take an oath of office to uphold theFederal Constitution, which guarantees non-Muslims thefundamental liberty of professing and practising their faiths inpeace and harmony.

It is very clear and specific in the State legislative list in the 9th

Schedule of the Federal Constitution that the “Syariah Courts… shall have jurisdiction only over persons professing the religionof Islam …”. The learned Judges in the majority appear tonote that requirement in their judgments, but with respect, appearto contradict themselves by then requiring the non-Muslim wifeto go to the Syariah courts.

We express our objection to any requirement for non-Muslims to have to go to the Syariah Court for relief as suchcourts apply Islamic theological law. Religious laws cannot beapplied to people who do not profess that religion. The Courtof Appeal in this case and civil courts are expanding Article121(1A) of the Federal Constitution.

We are also concerned that Syariah Courts are usurpingfunctions which are not theirs. Consequently, non-Muslims areunable to obtain relief when the Syariah Court makes an orderwhich interferes with their fundamental liberties guaranteed bythe Federal Constitution. The Federal Constitution is the supremelaw of Malaysia. Our highest court had declared in the case ofChe Omar bin Che Soh v. P.P. (1988) 2 MLJ 55 that Article 3 ofthe Constitution was never intended to extend the applicationof Syaria to the sphere of public law.

We object to any interpretation of our Constitution or ourlaws that deprive any person of his fundamental liberties, anddeny access to a non-Muslim to the High Court applying thegeneral civil law.

We urgently call on the Government to immediately passlaws to safeguard the rights of all Malaysians, so as to ensurenon-Muslims have full and proper access to justice.


Government must safeguardrights of all MalaysiansMCCBCHST

Press Statement


LEADERSHIP is not just about position but influence. Effectiveleaders are able to influence their members to accomplishGod’s will for the church and their lives. How does onebecome an effective leader? This conference will addressthis question and many more. Pastors, church leaders andministry workers are urged to attend.

East Malaysia BM Leaders Conference? PLACE: MIRI, SARAWAK? DATE: May 8–10? FEE: Fee: RM90 before April 8 and RM120 thereafter (fee covers accommodation, meals and materials)• Speakers: Rev. Dr Nus Reimas (Chairman of the Indonesia Evangelical Fellowship), Rev. Dr Herbert Tan (Leadership Development Consultant at Malaysia Campus Crusade for Christ) and Alfred Tais (NECF Malaysia Executive Secretary for the BM Commission)• Contact: Pr Peter Mutang (013-812 9922); or Pr Robin Ato (013- 814 0028)

? PLACE: RANAU, SABAH? DATE: May 15–17? FEE: RM90 before April 15 and RM120 thereafter (fee covers accommodation, meals and materials)• Speakers: Rev. Dr Bambang Widjaya (former chairman of the Indonesia Evangelical Fellowship and currently an advisor to the fellowship), Rev. Dr Herbert Tan and Alfred Tais• Contact: Pr George Mikil (013-860 8285), Bernard Yong (019-812 3399) or Cathrine Pondong (019-830 2589)

Both conferences are jointly organised by NECF and theRanau Council of Churches and Pusat SIB Sarawak.Immediately after the conferences, a one-day consultationwill be held where the speakers and leaders will discussthe challenges facing their churches and brainstorm waysto overcome them.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia views with great concernthe recent decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of

Subashini v. Saravanan, where she, although a non-Muslim, was urgedto submit to the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts to seek recoursefrom the break-up of her family, when her husband converted toIslam. It is troubling to note, and indeed of great concern to allMalaysians, that what is clearly stated in the Federal Constitution,that the Syariah courts shall have jurisdiction only over personsprofessing the religion of Islam [Schedule 9, List 11 (1)], is nowbeing extended, by the court decision, to include non-Muslims.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia respects the FederalConstitution to be the supreme law of the country [Art 4 (1)], andtherefore, it must guarantee the right of all non-Muslim Malaysiancitizens to find justice served in the civil courts of the country.

In view of this development, the Christian Federation of Malaysiajoins with all other likeminded Malaysians in raising our concern tothe government. Decisions like this impact negatively on the socialfabric of Malaysia.

We therefore, call on all elected members of Parliament to doeverything within their means to defend our Constitution, and tosafeguard the right of non-Muslim citizens to find remedy andjustice in the civil courts in matters pertaining to civil rights andliberties.

CFM: Guarantee non-Muslimsright to find justice in civil courts

LIKE other buildings, churchbuildings or other religious buildingscan be designated as a heritage site ifthey have natural heritage or culturalheritage significance.This is covered in theNational Heritage Act (Act 645)which was gazetted on Dec 31,2005, and came into effect on Mar 1, 2006. The Actprovides for the creation of a National HeritageRegister which can be inspected by the members ofthe public. This register will be administered by thenewly-created National Heritage Department underthe Ministry, which is headed by the HeritageCommissioner, Prof. Dato’ Siti Zuraina Abdul Majid.Find out more about how you can play a role innominating sites to be included in the register. Youmay read the Act on the Parliament of Malaysiawebsite – www.parlimen.gov.myThe act can also be purchased from theGovernment Printers at RM13.50 a copy.

Preserving heritage ofreligious buildings


Due to its rapid economic growth, Selangor is currently the richest, mostpopulous, industrialised and urbanised state in Malaysia. It has the secondhighest GDP per capita (after Penang) and was declared the first developedstate in Malaysia in August 2005. ?

S e l a n g o r

Population: 4,736,100 (est.)Ethnic groups: Malay 50.73%, OtherBumiputera 1.46%(Temuan, Mah-Meri),Chinese 28.07%, Indian 13.45%, Others1.04%, Non-citizens 5.25% (Indonesian,Myanmarese, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Filipino,Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese)Religious Breakdown (2000):Islam 55.7%, Buddhism 24.4%, Hinduism12.1%, Christianity 4.3%, Taoism/Confucianism 2.0%, Tribal 0.3%, Others 0.4%,No Religion 0.5%, Unknown 0.3%Incidence of poverty (2004): 1.0%,Hardcore 0.2%

STATISTICS (MALAYSIASTATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 2005)

???

Selangor is about the most modernand “Westernised” state; however,the rise of religious extremism is

worrying. While religious freedom (Article11 of the Federal Constitution) isgenerally respected, it is restricted02 tothose who do not profess the Islamicfaith.

The Selangor Religious AffairsDepartment (JAIS) closely monitorsdeviationist teachings and groups that aredeemed ‘heretical.’ Those found guilty aresent to the Ulu Yam rehabilitation centre.

Cigarette smoking was decreed haram(forbidden) by the Selangor FatwaCouncil in 1995 (www.e-fatwa.gov.my);and it is a crime to violate a gazetted fatwa(Islamic decree). Such decree was seenby many as downright unrealistic. It hasso far not been enforced. In 1995, thecouncil issued a fatwa banning Muslimwomen from participating in beautycontests.

In 1997, JAIS arrested three Muslimgirls for taking part in the Miss MalaysiaPetite contest. The incident drew intensecriticism from several quarters stating thatthe arrest violated fundamental principlesof democracy and fundamental liberties

guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.The overzealousness of the religious

officers and some religious enthusiasts hasdistressed the non-Muslims in the state.Even before the controversial Moorthycourt case was resolved, another tusslefor a dead body arose in Banting last July.Discovering that the MyKad of deceasedKandasamy S. had the word ‘Islam’, thepolice removed the body from BantingHospital mortuary with no regards forthe feelings of his non-Muslim familymembers. JAIS later declared thedeceased a non-Muslim due to lack ofevidence.

The latest scramble over deceasedRayappan A. last December broughtgreat embarrassment to the religiousauthorities. Following an uproar, thePrime Minister intervened and the claimwas eventually withdrawn but not withoutdisparaging remarks from both theMuslim and non-Muslim communities.

The Malaysia Hindu Sangam statedin its June 2006 press statement, “Thenon-Muslim community now does notknow when the Islamic authorities willclaim that one of our family members isa Muslim.”

Minister in the Prime Minister’sdepartment, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili,said that Selangor registered secondhighest (after Penang) in the number ofcases involving social and religiousconflicts (The Star, Jan. 17).

In recent years, several secondaryschools’ Christian fellowships have beenclosed down when new, overzealousprincipals took over.

Conflicts of lawsSection 5 of the Syariah Criminal

Offences Enactment 1995 forbidsconversion out of Islam to avoidpunishment. While the state’sAdministration of the Religion of IslamEnactment 2003 has no provision for aMuslim to convert out, Section61(3)(b)(x) & (xi) of the enactment givesthe Syariah High Court the jurisdictionto declare whether a person (living ordead) is a Muslim or not.

Regardless of the constitutionalguarantee to the right to propagate, thestate religious authorities have since 1988placed certain restrictions by ratifying theNon-Islamic Religions (Control ofPropagation Amongst Muslims)Enactment.

Last May, JAIS claimed that Christianand Buddhist missionary groups had, inthe guise of social services, spread theirteachings to Muslim patients in severalhospitals. It ‘counterattacked’ by launchingthe ‘Rakan Masjid’ programme toencourage Muslim evangelists to frequenthospitals (malaysiakini.com).

CorruptionSeveral issues in the last two years havegiven the state government a bad name.The public has oftentimes decried itsineffectiveness and the absence oftransparency and sense of priorities forpublic interests. The SelangorDevelopment Corporation (PKNS)continues to be seen as gravely lacking inaccountability.


???Last October, the Klang Municipal Council was heavily

criticised for appointing three members of a family as municipalcouncillors. The public fumed when Mentri Besar Dato’ SeriDr Mohamed Khir Toyo said there was nothing wrong inthat. Action was, however, taken after the Sultan and the PMintervened.

The MB later admitted that the system was flawed as itallowed law breakers to become councillors (The Sun, Nov. 15,2006) and thus opened doors for misdemeanour and dishonesty.The appalling fact was that three Klang councillors flouted thelaws by building lavish mansions without approval, in defianceof the Town and Country Planning Act 1974. They were finedas a result of public protest, but were not disciplined for insultinglocal government regulations.

Local authorities continue to be criticised for disregardingpublic views. The de-gazetting of the green lung of Bukit Gasingdespite residents’ objection is one example. The authorities’weaknesses have also contributed to problems such asenvironmental damages. The approval of hill-slopedevelopments in violation of guidelines has caused damage tothe Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam agricultural park and reserve inShah Alam. Experts have also linked flood in certain parts ofShah Alam to uncontrolled and irresponsible development.

Public confidence in the local authorities is thus wearingthin. Meanwhile, the MB has consistently declared that “no oneis above the law.” Recently, at the state government employees’monthly meeting, he reportedly advocated transparency andaccountability as two of the four principles of state governance.

The other two were comprehensive participation of allstakeholders and predictability (Bernama, Jan 15). When fourgambling dens near the Sekinchan police station were exposed,he immediately transferred the Sabak Bernam district councilpresident and ordered action against the Ampang Jayaenforcement officers for negligence of duties.

Neglecting the poorThe Selangor gvernment, in its ambitious pursuit fordevelopment, has neglected the wellbeing of the poor, the OrangAsli in particular. For example, the Temuan families weredeprived of home due to the state’s acquisition of their land inBukit Tampoi (in Dengkil) to build a highway. The Shah AlamHigh Court’s judgement favoured the Temuan and orderedthe state government to pay compensation.

The ruling was also upheld by the Court of Appeal. Thecourt reprimanded the government for treating the Orang Asli“in a most shoddy, cruel and oppressive manner.” The stategovernment, the United Engineers (M) Bhd, the MalaysianHighway Authority and the Federal Government are appealingagainst the Court of Appeal’s decision.

Several months ago, the state government ordered fivebulldozers to tear down 51 homes in Kampung Berembang.Hundreds of enforcement officers stood and watched while

the residents, with crying children, stood in the rain in despair. Itwas also reported that 21 residents and activists were detainedfor hampering the demolition process.

OthersAccording to the National Crime Index, the first seven monthsof 2006 saw a sharp rise in crime in the state (second highestafter Penang). The state also topped the list of suspected denguecases with a total of 656 cases reported in the second week ofJanuary.

The ChurchIt has been said that sizable English-speaking churches withmarketing savvy and hi-tech cum feel-good worship are foundin the Klang Valley. They are financially well off, have the capacityto operate various ministries with attractive evangelistic activitiesand the ability to organise seminars featuring internationallyrenowned speakers.

In other words, they are self-sufficient. However, the majorityof the churches in Selangor are modest. Though small in size,they quietly and faithfully serve the Lord and are actively reachingout in their own ways to their respective communities. Migrantministries are flourishing.

Some of the challenges faced by the Church are: theperformance-driven inclination, the complacent longtimebelievers and indifferent second generation Christians, the yet-to-be-reconciled tensions between the modernist-thinkingleadership and the discontented intellectual youth, and therampant consumerism within the church culture.

PRAY FOR• State Government: Transparency, integrity and impartialityfor menteri besar and all local authorities in governance;Effectiveness and competence in all policyimplementations; Wise financial management and goodstewardship; Give priority to public interest and wellbeing;Committed to poverty eradication; Implement appropriatedevelopment plans without affecting the poor and theenvironment; and remove corrupt officials.• Religious freedom provided by the Constitution be upheldand respected by all; sensible religious authorities; againstthe spirit behind religious zealots.• Orang Asli be accorded just treatment and dignity• Decrease in crime

• Sense of civic consciousness and environmentalcleanliness in the communities; public health awarenessto reduce disease-related illnesses (e.g. dengue).• The Church:– Unity (Kingdom-minded, Christ-centred churches)– Awareness of challenges facing the Church and wisdomto address them

– Effective role in issues affecting the community, excelsfor God in marketplace, passion in rural outreaches.


IRAN Before Christmas, whileIran’s secret police were interrogatingmore than a dozen newly imprisonedChristian house fellowship leaders, Iran’sPresident Ahmadinejad wished Iran’sChristians a happy Christmas.

His message sounded like an attemptto seduce them into believing that ShiiteIran is more Christ-honouring than the‘oppressive powers’ in ‘Christian states’which have created havoc in Iraq andruined Iran’s Christmas by levellingsanctions against it.

It is reasonable to infer thatAhmadinejad means to seduce theofficial church of ethnic Armenian andAssyrian Christians into becomingcompliant – even grateful – collaboratorsin exchange for limited ‘privileges’.Ahmadinejad could then appearsupportive of the church and religiousliberty in general.

And Ahmadinejad needs friends.Iranian women, students, intelligentsia andtrade unionists are all becomingincreasingly courageous in theirprotest against the regime’s repressionand belligerence.

Thus, Ahmadinejad’s seductive effortswill present the official church with apainful, watershed choice: collaborate orshare the persecution.

However, the reality is that Christianswho actively evangelise are persecuted.Persecution escalated dramaticallythrough 2006 under Ahmadinejad’sdirection, and it is expected to escalate in2007. Reportedly, new governmentdirectives will soon place the church evenmore under the thumb of the intelligenceministry and security forces.

Pray that God will give Iran’sArmenian and Assyrian Christians greatspiritual discernment and wisdom, as wellas moral clarity and courage so that theywill not be deceived, seduced or tempted.Pray they will trust God completely.

THAILAND The civil strifein southern Thailand has greatrepercussions for, not just Malaysia but,the region. Islamic separatists staged atleast 49 bombings, shootings and arsonattacks during the Chinese New Yearperiod in southern Thailand, killing at leastnine and wounding 44.

Suspected Islamic separatists burneddown Thailand’s biggest rubberwarehouse located in Yala. The CNYweekend attacks in Yala, Pattani andNarathiwat provinces were the biggestshow of force by Islamic separatists inthe south since the military seized powerin a coup last September.

Some 2,000 people have been killedin three years of unrest (The Star, Feb 21).Analysts and officials said the Thai armyhas become so preoccupied with politicsthat it is neglecting the problem in thesouth.

Muslims are terrified to comeforward to present information becausethey fear retribution from a militantmovement which treats suspectedinformants with severe brutality.

Pray for the leaders of the country –especially Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, thenation’s first Muslim to head the army –to take firm and wise action to arrest theescalating violence in the region. Pray forsuccess for the army and police personnelin nabbing those responsible for incitinghatred and division, and causing thedeaths of many innocent civilians.

Pray for Christians who areimprisoned, that God will comfort,protect and deliver them.

Pray for God continuous protectionon all Iran’s evangelists – from the trainedBible scholar and career missionary to thehumble children sharing their simple faithwith friends – so that the gospel ofsalvation through the biblical Jesus canspread across the nation.

BURMA The militarygovernment has again asked for lists ofall the names of Christian children’shomes, assemblies, church pastors,leaders, members and families. It hasalso fixed the time for worship whichforbids Christians to meet outside these“official” times.

Christian leaders do not know whatthe government is going to do with thelists. Pray God gives Christians in Burmapeace, wisdom and boldness during thistime. Pray for their protection and thattheir lives will reflect their trust in God,so that many non-believers will bedrawn into the the saving knowledgeof Christ.

KOSOVO The (Muslim)Ottoman Empire occupied the Balkansduring the 14th Century. The Christiansthey subjugated won back theirfreedom through the 1912–13 BalkanWars. During the Ottoman era, largenumbers of ethnic Albanian Muslims(now called Kosovars) moved intoSerbia’s southern regions, now known asKosovo. These Kosovars then rebelledagainst the resulting Serb rule, protestingthat ‘their’ land was ‘occupied’.

This Kosovar separatist causeaccelerated from 1941, through the WW2Nazi-Muslim alliance and the subsequentpro-Albanian, pro-Arab, anti-SerbCommunist dictatorship. The Kosovarvs Serbia struggle for Kosovo escalatedthrough the 1990s, erupting into war in1999. On Feb 2, the UN’s special envoyproposed that Kosovo basically be cededfrom Serbia to the Kosovars. Ethnic andreligious tensions in Kosovo arelikely to explode.

Pray for justice and for God toprotect the small Orthodox Serbremnant in Kosovo, and for wisdomand divine guidance for the country’spolitical and religious leaders.

C:\Documents and Settings\user\ - NECF Malaysia

Documents

Transcript of C:\Documents and Settings\user\ - NECF Malaysia