MCCBCHST should remain apolitical

A recent press statement issued by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) questioning the Prime Minister’s decision not to extend the tenure of former Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Court of Appeal President Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, and Federal Court Judge Nallini Pathmanathan is truly unbecoming of the religious group.

Religion should be kept separate from the politicking surrounding the extension of their tenures.

In the first place, any extension of any civil servant or judiciary commissioner’s tenure is solely at the discretion of the Prime Minister

The fact that the Seri Paduka Yang Di-Pertuan Agong shows that even His Majesty did not see fit for the extension to be granted.

In all fairness, even Tengku Maimun herself should be grateful that she was not removed unceremoniously, unlike her predecessor, Tun Mohamed Salleh Abas.

Back then, in 1988, why did the MCCBCHST remain silent when the former Lord President of the Supreme Court was sacked, triggering an unprecedented Constitutional crisis in Malaysia?

Why only now does the MCCBCHST spokesperson issue a press statement on behalf of that organisation, yet choosing to remain anonymous and hide behind the organisation?

Whoever issued the statement should be more upfront, or else be compelled to resign within 24 hours and have his identity revealed, rather than hide behind the religious group—such a precedent risks bringing the group into disrepute.

His or her action is binding upon all religions represented by the MCCBCHST. As such, we should not tolerate such conduct from a group that is supposedly apolitical.

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