Responding to a Umno complaint about a Taoist shrine at a public park in Penang, the MCA’s Ti Lian Ker said he could not fathom statements claiming that exposure to religious symbols would offend a Malaysian of another faith.
“This may have been the case centuries ago, but today these arguments don’t hold water,” said Ti, who heads the MCA’s religious harmony bureau.
He said Malaysians in general lived in harmony with one another regarding less of their religious beliefs.
At the Penang state assembly meeting this week, opposition leader Jahara Hamid had questioned the placement of a Chinese “tokong” (shrine) in the refurbished Armenian Street Park. She had said the sight of the “tokong” might offend people of other faiths or ethnic
groups.
Ti responded by saying that such arguments lacked substance and were usually put forth by individuals who wanted to be seen as champions or defenders of their own religion.
“It is rather insulting,” he said in a statement. Malaysian political leaders should not underestimate the tolerance and understanding that Malaysians had for each other.
He pointed out that many great nations and civilisations had existed in history, with churches, mosques and even temples constructed side by side or adjacent to one another.
Ti said Malaysian must leave behind the trappings of race, religion or culture.
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