Singapore Democrats
The youth wings of the SDP and PKR (Parti KeAdilan Rakyat) issued a joint statement regarding the recent attacks against churches in Malaysia.
PKR is the opposition party in Malaysia led by Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The statement was signed by YD President Priveen Suraj and Shamsul Iskandar, Chief of Angkatan Muda Keadilan.
We, the undersigned, condemn in no uncertain terms, the arson and violence against churches following the spate of controversy over the disputed use of the word “Allah”.
We stand in solidarity with all segments of the society that promote peace and justice and urge all sides to exercise their utmost restraint in dealing with the matter to avoid playing into the hands of those who have vested interests in seeing violence escalate.
It is without a doubt that the recent attacks on churches in Malaysia are attempts to undermine the racial and religious harmony and understanding painstakingly built over many generations.
Given the close ties and cultural similarities that we have with Malaysia, Singaporeans are watching the incident closely and we, the Young Democrats, stand firmly with our Malaysian counterparts in calling for a peaceful resolution to the matter.
Violence has no place in our world today, and acts of violence at places of worship where the general populace seek peace of mind and solace are especially deplorable. However, these acts of violence should not, and must not be framed in the perception of communal and religious conflict between Muslims and Christians, as they are as much an insult to the tenets of peace as espoused by Islam and all religions, as they are to Christianity.
We enjoin all segments of Malaysian society to condemn this spate of barbaric and cowardly acts, call upon all groups with differing spiritual, cultural and ideological backgrounds to reach a consensus by rational dialogue.
Priveen Suraj
President
Young DemocratsShamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin
Chief
Angkatan Muda Keadilan