FMT LETTER: From JD Lovrenciear, via e-mail

Malaysia must not exploit or criminalise religious freedom which is rooted in the history of human civilisation. Whichever way you may review the matter or whichever camp you swear to belong to, the state of affairs in Malaysia relating to the subject matter called religion is reaching a perilous point.

Can regional leaders remain unconcerned? Can global players dismiss it as a storm in a tea cup? Can Malaysians sit back and just watch? The unending surge of statements, events and decrees as well as episodes involving religion that is punctuating the political landscape of Malaysia is no more a strictly domestic matter.

As long as religious freedom, its independence and sanctity as well as its moderateness is being threatened by the politics and leadership of a nation, it will have irreversible impact in the region and in world politics too.

In Malaysia, there is every reason to be concerned as extremists and right-wing politicians keep pushing religion and its related strife to the forefront of governance, society, economics and environment, especially in a global climate where war and peace are premium concerns.

Lately, there has been far too much of energy, publicity, stunts and demands being bulldozed through the human space seemingly fighting for one religion against another. In Malaysias context, it seems very much an Islamic war on Christianity, or what pro-Islamists will ascribe as Christianitys affront on Islam.

Whether it is Islams war on Christianity or Islams protection against Christianity, the truth of the matter is Malaysia is under very serious threat affecting the practice of religious freedom, religious rights and religious democracy.

The pieces of the jigsaw are indeed drawing a very frightening mosaic of man-against-man battle brew.

The latest incident where an established and government funded institution of higher learning approved, convened and conducted a religious seminar in its premises seemingly in defense of Islam, is already setting the cauldron of religious sentiments to bubble-boil.

By bringing in religious speakers from a neighbouring country, there is already a seeming or perceived intent to now extend the battle beyond Malaysias shores. The other is a political partys determined efforts to institute the Islamic penal code (hudud) in the country.

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Do not exploit or criminalise religious freedom