Religious Groups Condemn Individuals Promoting 'Free Bible Course' Next To Surau In Melaka
The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) stated that none of its members were involved in the incident.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 06 Aug 2024, 02:33 PM
An interfaith council and a Christian group have denounced individuals who were seen promoting a free Bible course next to a surau in Melaka after a 16-second video of the incident went viral
The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism (MCCBCHST) and the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) urged the police to take action against the group that put out a standee with promotional material for a "free Bible course" next to Surau Warisan in Bandar Hilir, a popular tourist location.
MCCBCHST president Tan Hoe Chieow said religious groups should be ethical when propagating one's faith, reported FMT.
He believes that the individuals involved in the act could be from a deviant group, and urged the surau to lodge a police report.
"If they break the law, they should be charged so that such incidents won't happen again and to serve as a deterrent," Tan added.
Meanwhile, CFM has denied any involvement in the incident, stressing that the act is "deeply concerning"
"To the best of our information and belief, no individual or group within or associated with our component bodies — namely the Roman Catholic Church, the Council of Churches in Malaysia, and the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship — were involved in the incident.
"CFM supports the many calls on the authorities to investigate this matter and take the lawful action necessary to maintain religious harmony in the country," it said in a statement on Sunday, 4 August.
The viral video, which was originally posted on TikTok in late July, showed at least two individuals manning a standee filled with religious pamphlets next to Surau Warisan
A sign at the front of the standee reads "Can our planet survive?" and "Take a copy", while the back reads "Free Bible course".
The video garnered over 286,000 views on TikTok and 1,500 comments.
Many netizens urged Surau Warisan to lodge a report with the religious authorities and were appalled by the individuals' actions.
Melaka police chief DCP Datuk Zainol Samah said his department is currently searching for the individuals involved in the incident, reported The Star.
The case is being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity, or feelings of ill will that prejudices the maintenance of religious harmony.
