THE National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) today urged the prime minister to protect the rights of Malaysians, challenging every member of the government to speak up after a coalition of Islamic groups described evangelical Christianity as a “dangerous movement” and called for it to be banned.

NECF chairman Dr Eu Hong Seng urged the authorities to haul up Centre of Human Rights Research and Advocacy (Centhra) CEO Azril Mohd Amin for his “extreme views” and to censure Utusan Malaysia for publishing the article.

Azril wrote that the government should outlaw Evangelical Christianity, as it was a “dangerous movement”.

“Azril should produce supporting evidence before claiming Evangelical Christianity is a ‘dangerous movement’

“Reports of both local and international media on extremism and terrorism do not name the involvement of Malaysian Evangelical Christians in such activities.

“As such, Azril’s essay is irresponsible, seditious and causes hostility and ill-will against Evangelical Christians.

“It is also extremely disconcerting that these radical and extreme views are published by Utusan Malaysia, a national newspaper,” said Eu, adding that the newspaper and the writer should be investigated under the Sedition Act and Penal Code for causing hostility between people of different religions.

Eu said the call on the government to set up “anti-evangelicalism laws” like Russia’s Yarovaya Act to curb religious extremism and terrorism, was uncalled for and extremely provocative. 

“To attack Christians in this manner violates basic human rights and the protections guaranteed under our Federal Constitution.  

“Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution clearly provides that every person has a right to profess and practice his religion and, subject to Article  11(4), to propagate it.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Malaysia is a signatory, clearly mandates the universal protection of the fundamental human right of the freedom of thought, conscience and religion.” 

Azril had said the banning of Evangelicalism was in line with Article 11 of the Federal Consitution, toward preserving peace among religions.

Eu said Christianity is based on love; its followers are commanded to love and forgive those who offend them. This is what they are  taught to share and live by.   

“We call on the prime minister to ensure that the rights of every citizen of this country as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution regardless of their religious persuasion, be protected, upheld and enforced. 

“We call on the prime minister and every member of the government to speak up and keep the oath of office that they have taken, and to uphold  the fundamental rights of all citizens, including the minority Christians in this country by condemning such statements made and published by  persons which are harmful to the peace, harmony and goodwill enjoyed in Malaysia. 

Earlier today, constitutional lawyer Shahredzan Johan told The Malaysian Insight that every Malaysian has the right to profess and practise his or her religion according to the Federal Constitution, and this right may not be restricted or denied by the state.

The lawyer added that to outlaw evangelicalism here would be unconstitutional especially when the church worships in private without propagating to Muslims. – June 16, 2017.