Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s coming meeting with Pope
Paul, which the former had apparently diplomatically sought for some time,
is to take place on 7th June. The meeting as such is a good thing, because
it allows for some kind of dialogue between the two leaders, and so we
welcome it.
It is usual for leaders to visit the Pope. Many have done it before and
others will continue to do so in future. Therefore, it is not quite correct
for some people and the media in this country to tout this meeting as if it
is something special that has been conceded to Mahathir. We understand that
very soon many others, including President Bush, will also pay such visit.
We do not know what exactly will be Dr Mahathir’s main agenda during this
meeting. But we do hope that BN leaders, through the local media, will not
opportunistically use it for political ends to gain support from the
Christian community here for the impending general elections. Anyhow, we do
not believe that such a meeting will easily sway many people.
Actually, a lot of goodwill can be shown through this meeting. Mahathir
needs to show goodwill not only at the international arena. It is indeed
more important for him to do so at home. As we know, all religious
communities, including Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and even Muslims, have
different degrees of dissatisfaction over many issues, for example, sites
for places of worship and burial for the dead.
Owing to many development projects that are often driven by greed, the BN
government, at Federal and State levels, has hurt the feelings of different
groups within various religious communities, as regards actions taken on
these sites. Therefore, on this occasion, it would be a mark of great wisdom
and sincere goodwill if, before his visit to the Vatican, Mahathir tries to
solve certain outstanding problems related to some of these issues with the
Christian community. We also urge him, after that, to resolve similar
problems with the other religious groups.
Dr Syed Husin Ali
PRM President
28th May 2002
______________________
Terbitan : 29 Mei 2002
Ke atas
Home
