‘Destroy Statues and Crosses’ MP: My Intentions Misunderstood
December 5, 2007
The UMNO MP who raised the issue of demolishing statues and crosses in mission schools has finally come out to try to explain away his earlier statements. Unfortunately, I don’t buy it, and neither should anyone who reads Malay.
Syed Hood Syed Edros: “What I said in the Dewan does not reflect Syed Hood the MP”
Syed Hood Syed Edros, the MP of Parit Sulong explained that he did not raise the issue out of bad faith, but merely to raise the grouses of the public.
From Malaysiakini:
“As the people’s representative, I hear complaints and laments from the public. And every complaint must be given a proper explanation,” he said, adding that PAS would play up the issue if no proper explanation was given.
Thanking mission schools for providing education to Malaysians in the early years, Syed Hood said: “Then, Malay parents didn’t send their children to mission schools. But now that the country has developed, we have many of them doing so and we need to explain to them when they have doubts.”
Syed Hood said the issue was played up in emails and blog-posts by those “who did not understand his intention”.
“What I said in the Dewan does not reflect Syed Hood the MP. I, as an individual and politician, always respect other races and religions.
“I personally don’t have any issue with crosses being displayed in mission schools. We have to respect the religion of others to gain their respect for our religion.”
He said his eldest child had attended SMK Convent Batu Pahat when his family lived in the town.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I call BS.
Since your child went to SMK Convent Batu Pahat, weren’t you able to explain the issue to Malay parents who were truly concerned? You have excellent first-hand experience in this matter and you shouldn’t have any problems allaying any fears that mission schools will not make you any less Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist.
I felt that the only intention you had was to win some points with conservatives in your constituency. If you, as an individual and politician truly had respect for other races and religions, you would not have said the following in Parliament:
Tuan Syed Hood bin Syed Edros [Parit Sulong]: Bukan sahaja patung, tetapi Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat pergilah, tengoklah salib Kristian diletakkan di depan-depan sekolah. Saya tidak faham Kementerian Pelajaran, adakah pegawai-pegawai tidak nampak atau memang dasar kita membenarkan perkara ini. Walau bagaimanapun, saya sebagai orang yang bertanggungjawab kepada diri saya, agama, bangsa dan tanah air ini, saya menyatakan pendirian saya bahawa patung-patung ini hendaklah dirobohkan, salib-salib ini hendaklah dimusnahkan dan pengaruh-pengaruh gereja di sekolah-sekolah ini hendaklah dihentikan.
Does that sound like someone who is speaking as a wakil rakyat, or someone who is speaking for himself? Hint: Count the number of ‘saya‘ in the statement.
Seriously, drop the bullshit. The least people expect from you now is a sincere apology, and not try to justify your words. Some people say it takes a real man to apologize, and I would like to think that you and your pair below have got what it takes.
On a side-note, Nazri Aziz has stated that no action will be taken against Syed Hood unless there is a complaint from other MPs.
I wonder if Kelana Jaya MP, Loh Seng Kok would like to state his concerns to Nazri Aziz, as he did in Parliament a week after Syed Hood’s statement:
Tuan Loh Seng Kok [Kelana Jaya]: Akhir sekali Tuan Pengerusi, Jabatan Peguam Negara dan Integrasi Nasional dalam Butiran 20000 tentang perancangan dan penyelidikan. Apakah pihak JPNIN ada membuat perancangan dan penyelidikan tentang kenyataan-kenyataan yang telah dikeluarkan oleh pemimpin-pemimpin atau rakan-rakan yang boleh membangkitkan syak wasangka, sensitiviti. Contoh, dalam Dewan ini saya rasa di mana ada rakan membangkitkan dalam minggu lepas mengatakan bahawa sekolah-sekolah mubaligh (mission school) seperti Convent, La Salle, Methodist dan sebagainya difahamkan lembaga pengarah di setiap sekolah ini sebahagian ditadbir dari gereja di luar negara seperti Vatican City. Ada yang mengatakan bahawa sekolah-sekolah jenis ini juga tidak tutup semasa Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Saya rasa kenyataan-kenyataan yang kurang tepat ini akan mengelirukan orang ramai dan membawa kesan yang tidak baik. Maka saya mintalah agar JPNIN dapat membuat perancangan dan penyelidikan yang lebih menyeluruh supaya dapat mengemukakan fakta-fakta di mana…
Tuan Pengerusi [Datuk Lim Si Cheng]: Yang Berhormat, masa cukup.
Masa saya pun sudah cukup, dan Syed Hood cakap benda yang darndest!
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16 Responses to “‘Destroy Statues and Crosses’ MP: My Intentions Misunderstood”
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Interesting. I can see that someone is trying to collect the drops of spilled milk.
Well, this does give him some scrap points, but I believe that’s about it. Anyone with a decent experience in being a politician would know NOT to have said the things he said about the schools in the first place.
There are so much more serious issues at hand in the country, and the both of them just had to go about and bring up the most pointless issue of all. It does make me wonder, if his words does not represent HIS own, really, he should come up with a memo and actual proof of the “complains” and “reports” he acquired from “whoever” these people “were/are”. ( I am really curious as to how many people/complains you would need to have an MP mention these things for you, cause if I knew a number, then I’d start complaining to them in X amounts about X number of X-times more serious things. )
Then again, it’s not hard to fake a memo is it?
From this, it’s not likely that any action will be taken, which goes to prove the absurdity of the system:
“Say what you want, if you’re a native, you get much more slack than a non-native, only when what you have said is completely screwing the image of the natives, and the dangers of the reputation of the natives, then you, as an individual native, will get screwed over by all the other natives”
The above is entirely my opinion, and is not from any other source or political movement. In given time, we’re going to see more “BLOG WITH RESPONSIBILITY” warnings from the Prime Minister. When will people ever learn that trying to control the internet, is like trying to cut liquid into two. It’s impossible. The sooner they learn that, the better. The information age has started, and it is impossible to stop the wildfire. Stand in its path, and you get burned down by it.
Freedom of information is the first step in building a better civilization.
December 5, 2007 at 8:53 am
If the Mp have utter such words, he do not represent the true teaching of Islam.
He is a shame to Islam…He is using his stupid malay mindset.He should taken action and he should not be wakil rakyat.
December 5, 2007 at 11:09 am
yeah i don’t buy his explanation at all too. i had also blog on this same issue with some comments. and did you realise he was blaming bloggers when he said this issue had been played up by us blogger (and those who spread it by email). well i would say thank god for bloggers… or else this issue would have been swept under the carpet… and then in time to come, you’ll really see crucifixes and statues disappearing.
we should be grateful to lim kit siang for raising this up in parliament.
December 5, 2007 at 12:43 pm
well said Kamarudin!
macam nie ke wakil rakyat bn?!
December 5, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Mr Lim Kit Siang is the true freedom fighter for all Malaysians of different religion belief, i have plenty of respect for him as a opposition party MB to keep the ruling elite MP in check.
December 6, 2007 at 1:18 am
i agree with En.Kamaruddin
December 6, 2007 at 10:25 am
PRESS RELEASE:
Call to stop all racial and religious fanaticism in Malaysia: Pahlawan Volunteers
We reap what we sow.
It’s high time we CONSCIOUSLY STOP all race/religion bashings or taint any community by the actions of a few.
It’s high time we WALK THE TALK and TOOK ACTION for the sake of our future and the future of our children in this nation.
Here’s the reason why. Read below…
The Sun, Tuesday, December 4, 2007
I was merely voicing public concerns: Syed Hood
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 4, 2007): Syed Hood Syed Edros (BN- Parit Sulong) has defended his Oct 29 debate in the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament) in which he questioned the display of images of Jesus, Mary and crosses in mission schools.
“I was merely voicing the concerns of the public at large. I only wanted the Education Ministry to provide a clear explanation on this,” he told reporters in Parliament lobby today.
Syed Hood stressed that he does not have any problems with mission schools and backed this up by saying that his eldest daughter used to study in the Batu Pahat Convent Primary School.
He said he was not worried about the possibility of facing sedition charges over his remarks.” Malaysia is a free country. If anyone is upset they can lodge a police report,” he said.
On Monday (Dec 3), deputy whip and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said he had not received any complaints from Barisan Nasional members about Syed Hood’s speech. He said the public can lodge a report with the police.
Full story, visit http://www.assuntaalumni.com/media/071204-3.html
More explanations given by Syed Hood, read…
‘Destroy Statues and Crosses’ MP: My Intentions Misunderstood
http://www.darnmalaysia.com/2007/12/05/destroy-statues-and-crosses-mp-my-intentions-misunderstood/
On no complaints from Barisan Nasional members about Syed Hood’s speech:
Perhaps all BN MPs, with the exception of Loh Seng Kok [Kelana Jaya] and Lim Kit Siang, are too busy attending functions, cutting ribbons, opening ceremonies to be aware of the following:
NATIONWIDE PUBLIC OUTCRY AND COMMENTS; just to name a few websites and blogs,
* Petition: Respect the Ethos and Character of Mission Schools
with more than 2,400 signatories to-date
http://www.petitiononline.com/assunta/petition.html
* Demolish Statues, Destroy Crosses in Mission Schs, said UMNO MP Parit Sulong
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/561471
* How many mission schools in the country have the cross removed from school emblem?
http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/12/04/how-many-mission-schools-in-the-country-have-the-cross-removed-from-school-emblem/
* Morons of Parliament: Demolish Christian Statues, Destroy the Crosses
http://www.darnmalaysia.com/2007/11/23/morons-of-parliament-demolish-christian-statues-destroy-the-crosses/
* Hell Hath No Fury like a Woman Scorned!
http://zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/2007/12/hell-hath-no-fury-like-woman-scorned.html
* Demand for removal of Christian cross and demolition of Christian statues
http://www.malaysia-today.net/nuc2006/letter.php?itemid=795
‘Report them’
At a press conference, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz urged those offended by the remarks to lodge a police report against the parliamentarians involved. “Anyone offended by their remarks can lodge a police report. They have a right to report them,” he said. Saying that no action will be taken against the duo until a complaint is made, Nazri said: “The MPs are not above the law. A seditious statement made in Parliament will be published and once published, the public has the right to complain.” He also assured that the Sedition Act applies to everyone and that the government will not condone any seditious statement by parliamentarians.
Full story by Malaysiakini, visit http://www.assuntaalumni.com/media/071203-2.html
It’s high time we did our own house-keeping. HERE’S WHAT WE CAN DO, as individuals, therefore as a collective whole, TO STOP THE ROT in this country we call “home”.
Let’s call on the Government to take disciplinary action on the two MPs and to ensure they are banned from standing in the next General Election as “wakil rakyat” for their groundless and repugnant statements madein Parliament. Demonstrate how seriously we take their irresponsible and unsubstantiated comments by the following action:
1. Download the relevant pages of the actual hansard at http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=338343.
2. Make police reports and/or send your complaints to Dato’ Seri Nazri Aziz and CC the same to the following:
YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz
Deputy Whip and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department
Aras 4, Blok Barat, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62502 Putrajaya.
Feedback Form: http://www.pmo.gov.my/website/webdbase.nsf/w_4?openForm&url=http://www.pmo.gov.my/website/feedbackdb.nsf/pmofb2?openform
Tel: (03) 8889 4176 | Fax: (03) 8889 4177
Email: ppm@pmo.gov.my
Tan Sri Musa Hj Hassan
Inspector General of Police
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50560 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (03) 2262 6222 | Fax: (03) 2273 1326
Email: musa@rmp.gov.my
Public Complaints Bureau
Prime Ministers Department
Online Complaints Form: http://apps.bpa.jpm.my/eApps/bpaiaducmpl/AduCmplPublic/add.do?aplCode=en
Email: aduan@bpa.jpm.my
Tel: (03) 8888 7777 | Fax: (03) 8888 7778, 8888 3748
Parliament Malaysia
Jalan Parlimen, 50680 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03-2072 1955 | Fax : 03-2070 4676
Email: info@parlimen.gov.my
REMEMBER THE CALL TO NATION BUILDING
by His Royal Highness the Regent of Perak, Raja Nazrin:
Malaysians of all races and religions need to believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have a place under the Malaysian sun.
1. Take personal ownership over the well-being of the country.
2. Do not succumb to indifference and apathy. Hold on to your ideals. Do not give way to cynicism and opportunism. Believe that you can make a difference.
3. Choose leaders who were earnest in building unity and did not resort to religious or ethnic posturing to further their careers.
Raja Nazrin suggested three ways for sustained and effecive nation-building.
* First, uphold the Constitution.
* Second, put in place economic and social justice.
* Third, good governance and a thriving civil society
REMEMBER Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita (Our Country, Our Responsibility).
Let’s build on this together.
Please forward this on to fellow Malaysians nationwide.
Pat Lu
Pahlawan Volunteers
http://www.pahlawan.com.my
Malaysian Mission Schools News Archive - Updated
We are all ONE. When One is harmed, all are harmed.
When One is helped, all are Healed.
http://www.assuntaalumni.com/media/missionschools.html
December 6, 2007 at 11:10 am
Hmmm… That’s weird… There are 2000++ signatures for this petition and I’m pretty sure at least one of them would have submitted a police report..
Perhaps the police are busy looking at these cases:- http://www.darnmalaysia.com/2007/11/19/kimma-lodges-police-report-against-jeff-ooi/
http://www.darnmalaysia.com/2007/11/19/another-frivolous-police-report-filed-against-rpk-and-malaysia-today/
Come on people, protecting the seats of these Ministers comes before the citizens!
Klaw: Aiyah, actually call ppl make police report is wayang only. Because of Parliamentary immunity, the cops can’t do anything much also.
December 6, 2007 at 7:38 pm
> Klaw: Aiyah, actually call ppl make police report is wayang only. Because of Parliamentary immunity, the cops can’t do anything much also.
Kenny,
Please double check or you may unintentionally misinform people reading here…
johnleemk said at I Don’t Buy The Moron MP’s Angle: Actually parliamentary immunity no longer protects MPs who violate the Sedition Act. This was changed a long time ago - after May 13, I believe.
In addtion to that, as seen at http://www.assuntaalumni.com/media/missionschools.html …
“Saying that no action will be taken against the duo until a complaint is made, Nazri said: “The MPs are not above the law. A seditious statement made in Parliament will be published and once published, the public has the right to complain. He also assured that the Sedition Act applies to everyone and that the government will not condone any seditious statement by parliamentarians.” - Malaysiakini
“On Monday (Dec 3), deputy whip and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said he had not received any complaints from Barisan Nasional members about Syed Hood’s speech. He said the public can lodge a report with the police.” - The Sun
“Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abd Aziz said so far, he had yet to receive any complaints over Syed Hood’s remarks.” - The Star
“Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said MPs were not above the Sedition Act and could not make seditious statements in Parliament.” - The Star
Has anyone taken affirmative action and made a complaint or police report yet? Hmmm, Pahlawan Volunteers lodged a complaint with the Public Complaints Bureau 28 November 2007.
hykyit
Please do the honors asap. Where to complain listed above.
Have a great weekend.
December 7, 2007 at 5:57 am
I stand corrected, for the Sedition Act does indeed disregard Parliamentary immunity.
Wikipedia has a good article on this: Sedition Act (Malaysia)
December 7, 2007 at 9:39 am
Syed Hood Syed Edros said:
“What I said in the Dewan does not reflect Syed Hood the MP. I, as an individual and politician, always respect other races and religions.
Seems to me that Syed Hood the MP can be likened to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine in Star Wars. Syed Hood the individual is Darth Sidious then? Or is it the other way round?
Klaw: Nah, Syed Hood ain’t that powerful or influential. Lumping him with Chancellor Palpatine is an insult to Palpatine’s power
December 7, 2007 at 8:49 pm
AS FAR AS I AM CONCERN,CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, THE CRUCIFIX IN BOTH THE ST.ANNE AND ST.ANTHONY SCHOOLS IN LABUAN HAVE BEEN REMOVED. EVEN THE PARISH HALL THAT THERE ONCE USED AS A TEMPERORY CLASSROOM, THE CRUCIFIX HAS BEEN REMOVED AND I BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE ALL BEEN REMOVED IN ALL THE MISSION SCHOOL IN SABAH TOO. PLEASE RE INSTALL THEM BACK FOR I BELIEVE THAT THIER PRESENCE REMINDS US CHRISTIAN THAT OUR GOD IS EVER PRESENT LOOKING AFTER THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WHILE THEY STUDY, PROTECTING THEM, GUIDING THEM AND DELIVERING THEM FROM EVIL AND HARM. THE CRUCIFIX ACTS AS A REMINDER THAT JESUS WAS NOT JUST CRUCIFIED BUT HE SACRIFICE HIMSELF FOR HUMANKIND FOR HIS COMMANDMENT, THAT IS, TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART, ALL OUR BEING AND ALL OUR STRENGTH AND TO LOVE OUR NIEGHBOUR AS OURSELVES EVEN TO LOVE OUR ENEMY, INCLUDING FORGIVING THEM OF THIER WRONGDOING, IN THIS CASE THE TWO MPS WHO STARTED ALL THIS FOR THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT. LOVE ENCOMPASSES EVERYTHING, THAT IS NOT TO KILL, NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, NOT TO STEAL, NOT TO COVET OUR NIEGHBOUR’S WIFE AND SO ON. TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THESE, WE HAVE TO READ THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD.
Klaw: Can any Labuan or Sabah readers confirm this?
December 8, 2007 at 10:04 am
Hi James and all who wish to redress the changes made at your mission school:
Here’s the affirmative action you CAN DO…
1. Make a list of the changes you’d like to see redressed at your mission school. Back your appeal with Points 1 & 4 from http://www.assuntaalumni.com/media/071128.html
2. Meet the current headmaster/headmistress to brief her as he/she may not be aware on the changes made years ago.
3. Follow up with a letter (include Appendixes from Point 1 above) and CC the school Board of Governors and PIBG.
4. Meet with your school Board of Governors and PIBG.
5. Follow up and follow through till you get the go-ahead.
6. Then, raise funds to implement them as mission schools are not fully Government funded, but categorized as a “sekolah bantuan modal” or Government aided school. This means that for many needs including school building projects and maintenance, the school would have to find its own funds as stated in Point 3 at http://www.assuntaalumni.com/media/071128.html
And I’d like to add, no need to literally yell and shout in the streets. There is another way to WALK THE TALK… A gentle reminder, gently and politely approach the headmaster/mistress and bring it up to the PIBG and Board of Governors as they may be new or not aware of the changes made by previous heads. FOLLOW UP till mission accomplished.
IT’S REALLY UP TO YOU NOW to take the initiative to redress whatever at your school for the sake of future generations. We reap what we sow. And if we don’t take time to sow, there’s nothing to reap. Hence the consequences.
It’s going to be FOUR YEARS come April 2008, we Assunta old gals are still championing for our old school ethos and character to be redressed. In the process, we were forced to have a petition, a couple of old boys and girls of other mission schools wanted to have their old school ethos redressed too but don’t know the facts. Hence we created the Malaysian Mission Schools News Archive at http://www.assuntaalumni.com/media/missionschools.html - check it out, one source for everyone’s convenience nationwide.
Most importantly,
Never ever give up. We can make a difference.
See blessings in disguise in every situation. In everything, give thanks to God; including the two MPs for being the catalyst for us to champion this.
Spread the word.
December 8, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Ahhh, I must share this with you…
Sister Enda’s Thought of the Week:
“God so loved the world that He didn’t send a committee” !!
December 10, 2007 at 4:26 pm
This chap whoever he is, should be suspended from parliament and educated in proper islamic teaching.Who are the idiots voted for this arse who thinks through his backside.
December 12, 2007 at 2:32 am
the MP remarks about mission school is stupidity at its lowest level. he looks more like an idiot and MP.
December 12, 2007 at 11:09 am