MALAYSIANS have continued to disparage Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor for saying that Christians are using churches to spread lies against the government, despite his clarification that he was misquoted.  

The Federal Territories minister yesterday morning had said the church should be a place to “disseminate God’s will” and not for Christian leaders to share their personal grouses or “fake news”.

Hours later, Tengku Adnan said that his remarks had been misconstrued and that he only advised churches to confine their activities to religion and to avoid spreading slander, which would stir discontent against the government. 

On social media, many Malaysians, including non-Christians, crticised Tengku Adnan, also known as Ku Nan, for insulting Christians. 

Parti Warisan Sabah deputy president Darell Leiking said the remarks were an insult to Christianity and the church.  

“A place of worship, especially the church, is not a place to lie or spread ill news to people. 

“Tengku Adnan, the Umno secretary-general, is absolutely wrong and to me, he had insulted all Christians for him to think the church would encourage or even allow lies,” he posted on Facebook. 

Another Facebook user, Gerald Wahh Onn, questioned how the minister would know if slander was being spread at churches if he is a Muslim. 

“How come he knows about the church spreading lies? I bet he is starting to go to church every Sunday because as far as I concerned, churches here never talk about politics,” he said. 

Another social media user, Stephen Doss, said that if Ku Nan was certain that fake news was being spread in churches, he should give examples and have the church investigated. 

“Please name which churches are preaching about politics, or badmouthing any govt for that matter, as this is serious matter, a slanderous fitnah!

“Another fake story spotted!” he posted on Facebook. 

Abdul Aziz Isa said that the minister’s excuse that he was misquoted was among the long list of remarks he had previously made and subsequently said he had been misreported.

“As usual… Not the first time he said that his remarks were misinterpreted.”

Over the last year, Tengku Adnan blamed the media for misquoting him on issues ranging from petrol prices to allowing illegal races in the capital. 

In November, he was forced to apologise following backlash from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students and its alumni for calling their alma mater a place for “slow learners”.

The students, including Second Finance Minister Johari Abdul Ghani, had taken exception to his remarks.

 On Twitter, users urged for ministers like Ku Nan to be voted out in the next general election.

“What a shameful remark by Tengku Adnan Mansor. It really shows you the kind of person he is, and why he should not be supported in upcoming elections. Vote for the people that respect inter-faith harmony,” Jorn Tan (@jurnntan) tweeted. 

Another user, Aruna (@imfsea_aruna) tweeted: “Whenever Tengku Adnan blabbers something ridiculously stupid and get screwed left, right and centre by the public he says ‘my words are misconstrued’. That’s the true quality of Umno ministers.”

Allen Warren (@flickrj316) said that the statement looked to divide Sabah and Sarawak, where many Christian communities reside.

“@TengkuAdnanReal not the first time nor the last. Is this a veiled wedge designed to further divide Muslim and Christians for political gain? Sabah and Sarawak Christians take note.”

Tengku Adnan had yesterday said that churches were not places to talk about the government.

“Please use the church as a place to disseminate God’s will, not to disseminate your own will or (talk about) things that you are not happy with,” he had said.

Tengku Adnan’s statement has been condemned by church leaders, who said it was unfounded and offensive.

They said the statement called into question the church’s spiritual integrity to spread the faith, and that preaching about societal issues was a religious duty. – February 4, 2018.