Malaysiakini and theSun have quite good coverage of the incident at Parliament yesterday morning. I must say I was quite taken aback by the hysterical responses from the Umno backbenchers. They must have put up a show that they were angered by my remark that the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was ” talam dua muka” in dealing with the inter-religious dialogue issue.

What prompted me to ask this question was that I was unhappy that the PM was signing a different tune for the international arena and the local audience. He asked the West to respect Islam and get to know Islam better. But back in the country, he called off the Building Bridges Seminar and did not want an inter-faith dialogue between the various religions. Non-Muslim Malaysian who are concerned with the latest development would want to know more about Islam and vice-versa. But all this would not come about because the PM sings a different tune here.

Well the answer by Nazri more all less confirmed that Pak Lah adopted different approaches for the international forum and the domestic audience. The fact is Malaysia has little voice in the international forum despite being the chair for the OIC.

Although the Umno MPs were jumping mad with the term “talam dua muka”, they were willing to accept the English equivalent “double standard”. Whatever terms, it means the same in that the PM do not practice what he preaches. Imagine the reaction if I have used “lidah bercabang dua”.

Read theSun report:
Nazri: M’sian Muslims not ready for religious dialogue
Pauline Puah
KUALA LUMPUR (June 21, 2007): The majority of Muslims in the country are not ready for open dialogue on religious issues, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said.
“Our intention is to have dialogues. However, religious issues are something sensitive. Dialogues need (the communication) of both sides.

“If the majority of Malaysian Muslims do not want to take part (in dialogues), we can’t do anything more. So we can only continue (with) our efforts without inciting any sensitive feelings by holding closed-door dialogues,” he said in reply to Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong) in the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament) today.

Nazri also took Chow to task for accusing the prime minister of double standards on inter-religious and cultural dialogue by saying one thing in the international arena and taking a different stand at home.

“In foreign countries, the premier does not have (decisive) power. He can only propose something. And the matter of sensitivity does not arise abroad, so he is free to say anything as it will not offend anyone.

“At home, although he has power, there is religious sensitivity (that should be taken care of). In our history, there was racial clash. Therefore, we have to be extra cautious,” he said.

“Accusing the premier as having double standards is not only incorrect, but also unfair and disrespectful to the head of the government. This question was intentionally asked by the Opposition to fish votes.”

Earlier, Nazri said the premier and other cabinet ministers had meetings to discuss issues concerning Malaysians who have different religious and cultural background from time to time.

“We hold closed-door dialogues. Having debates openly in newspapers is not the choice for the government. The closed-door dialogues do not mean that they are less efficient than open dialogues.”

On a supplementary question from Baharum Mohamad (BN-Sekijang) who said he was “offended” by Chow’s question, Nazri said many other Malay Muslims out there shared the same feeling.

“I hope the opposition will be careful in raising questions like this. We practise democracy so we allowed this question. Next time, you must be careful,” he said to cheers from some backbenchers.

Malaysiakini report:

Why PM’s interfaith dialogue method is different
Yoges Palaniappan
Jun 21, 07 5:08pm Adjust font size:

The government has given its assurance that there are no double standard practices in inter-religious and cultural dialogues.

“PM promotes the same message locally and in the international arena, that is to increase understanding among different religions and cultures,” said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.

“However, context of a dialogue and the reasons it is held in the international level is different from the reason it is held in Malaysia,” he said.

“That is the reason why dialogue methods suggested by PM differ in Malaysia and other countries.”

He was responding Chow Kon Yeow’s (DAP-Tanjong) who asked the PM to state the reason for the ‘double standard’ (talam dua muka) pertaining to inter-religious and cultural dialogues by promoting such dialogues in the international arena and taking a different stand in the country.

Nazri also explained that in the international level, dialogues are needed to resolve conflicts among different countries, whereas, in Malaysia the dialogues are needed to increase understanding among different races in the country.

“PM and the Cabinet have discussed and we believe that a closed dialogue is the best way of doing it, instead of having an open debate via the media,” said Nazri.

“A closed dialogue is not necessarily less effective compared to one that is openly held,” he added.

Malays do not want dialogue

He stressed that is inappropriate to liken PM to a talam dua muka as it shows disrespect to the country’s leader.

Nazri also explained to Chow that religious sensitivity in the country prevents the government from holding a dialogue.

“Malays make the majority race in Malaysia and they openly oppose a dialogue. We cannot do anything if they don’t want to participate in the dialogue,” he said.

On that note, Baharum Mohamad (BN-Sekijang) said that religion should not be discussed openly, as it will result in social unrest.

“Also, I don’t agree with Chow who likened PM to a talam dua muka. As a Muslim, his statement hurt me. I would like to request that the question be withdrawn so that we don’t have to discuss this (religion) in the House,” he said.
Agreeing with Baharum, Nazri said: “Baharum is just one example of a Malay MP who does not want a dialogue. We have many more MPs including those from the opposition party who are of the same opinion.”

“That is why I said this (religion) is a sensitive issue, especially when we discuss it openly in the public,” he said, adding that he hopes the opposition will be more careful with their questions in the future.

“We (government) accepted this question because we exercise democracy.”