CFM Media Statement – A Non-Apology

The Christian Federation of Malaysia is truly disappointed and dismayed that after more than 2 months from disparaging the Holy Scriptures founding the faith of a third of the world, the Pasir Puteh Member of Parliament, Dr. Nik Muhammad Zawawi bin Nik Salleh, could not find it in himself to apologise sincerely and fulsomely for his appalling and unfounded charge that the Bible is distorted and altered.

Instead, under the guise of a classic non-apology – and even that tendered only at the prompting of the Yang di-Pertua Dewan Rakyat – he compounded his affront of 26 August 2020 by claiming that he had then intended “to defend the original form of the Bible that was revealed to Jesus without any alterations”: as reported on 3 November 2020 by the Malay Mail in its article entitled “PAS MP finally says sorry for alcohol and Bible remarks, insists only defending ‘original form’ as revealed to Jesus”.

Ignorant even as to the fundamental tenet that the Bible is about Jesus and is not a revelation to Jesus, the Member of Parliament for Pasir Puteh’s further audacious and fallacious pronouncements fly in the face of a consensus of considered views of venerable, globally acknowledged, multi-lingual Bible scholars over centuries arrived at after critical study and analysis of thousands of ancient manuscripts and historically reliable texts many on public display at national libraries and even online. Notably, the Member of Parliament has to date cited no authority and produced not a shred of evidence for his wild and grossly offensive and insensitive claims of “alterations” and manipulations of the Bible.

That he, an elected official chose to engage in divisive discourse in the august House of Representatives at a time when our nation needs to unite to surmount the challenges posed by a deadly and destructive global pandemic is an absolute disgrace. That he now persists in making his unsubstantiated claims displays an utmost disregard not only for the well being of the Christian community but also for the harmony and common good of the peoples of this nation and little understanding of nation building and inter racial and religious respect.

CFM entreats all Malaysians to take the opportunity to study with humility and respect, the scriptures of other faiths and to promote mutual respect for the faith of the other. Respect begets respect. Let us be peace-makers and bridge-builders to each other’s communities of faith.

Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim
Chairman and the Executive Committee,
The Christian Federation of Malaysia.