The Bible and the Ballot

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To conclude, Christian have no problems being Jesus-like whist joyfully preferring Panasonic air-conditioners over LG ones. Similarly, there’s no reason why churches can’t remain non-partisan in nature whilst encouraging their members to vote in a better government. The pulpit, as much as the public square, can be a place to name names.

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What is democracy? For many of us, it simply involves having periodic elections to decide which political party forms the next government. Yet, democracy is more than just elections. It involves the existence of a space which allows for people to freely debate on public issues and government policies as well as present alternative ideas without the fear of repercussions. Indeed, the health of a democratic society is dependent on the existence of such a space.

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The Printing Presses and Publication Act (PPPA) 1984, however, seriously curtails media freedom in this country. The PPPA, which covers all forms of foreign and local printed media, gives discretion to the Ministry of Home Affairs to grant or revoke the publishing licenses of local newspaper.

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The Police Act 1967 requires a police license for any public assembly, meeting and procession. The police can refuse to grant a license when applied for and, if the license is granted, they can impose certain conditions or revoke it at any time. Without a license (or when the conditions attached are breached), the police can stop the public gathering and order its dispersal.

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In the case of the Selangor state government, it tabled a Freedom of Information bill in July 2010 to the state legislature to make all state information bill in July 2010 to the state legislature to make all state information accessible to the people. This is a move in the right direction in view of the traditional position taken by the federal government as well as the previous state government who kept such information locked away like ahoarder who cannot part with what has been amassed even if it is useless.

Source: The Bible and the Ballot: Reflection on Christian Political Engagement in Malaysia Today, Edited by Joshua Woo & Soo-Inn Tan