Bishop Paul Tan urges Hasan to heed MCCBCHST call

Catholic Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Eng said the challenge issued by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) to Dr Hasan Ali would either “induce a pause in him or spur him to further brazenness” in his campaign against alleged Christian proselytisation of Muslims.

“The challenge by the MCCBCHST is clear and unequivocal,” offered the prelate who has often publicly contested the claims made by the former Selangor state executive councillor for Islamic affairs who taken it upon himself to raise what Bishop Paul Tan describes as the “bogus specter” of Christian proselytisation.

“Either Hasan invokes the authority of the law against those who he alleges are engaged in this endeavour or he ceases and desists in his campaign which can inflame the feelings of Muslims towards Christians,” asserted the head of the Catholic Church in the Melaka-Johor diocese.

“I won’t go so far as to urge the authorities to charge him with sedition because I have my doubts over the efficacy of using obsolete laws to punish the erring,” explained the Jesuit-trained ecclesiastic.

“But in going on and on about what I consider is the bogus specter of Christian proselytisation of Muslims, he is inflaming the feelings of Muslims against Christians,” said Bishop Paul Tan.

Dangerous straits

“These are dangerous straits, so he either proffers the proof of his claims, in which case the laws must be allowed to take its course, or he stops his rabble rousing,” he asserted.

“The ideal situation would be that Muslims would be able to ascertain for themselves the truth or untruth of Hasan’s claims as the arguments of a Muslim academic in Malaysiakini so bracingly put forth,” argued the prelate.

“But the situation is far from ideal which is why the authorities, if they are sincere about their counsels in regard to moderation, should repudiate Hasan’s machinations,” said the bishop.

He congratulated the MCCBCHST for coming out with a statement that “courageously places the issue in stark terms so that there can be no more waffling on it - Hasan has either to proof his claims or cease and desist from pressing them.”