Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kuala Lumpur (Agenzia Fides) - In a document issued by the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, published in the diocesan monthly Catholic Asian News, March Edition, the Church makes an appeal to voters on the eve of general elections. The Church reminds the faithful to vote for the common good of the citizens and the entire nation. The document also recalls the fact that “Voting allows us to promote the social values of our faith, like protecting human dignity and human rights, building a fair and just society wherein workers get a living wage to provide himself/herself and family with decent housing, food on the table and education for his/her children, living in humanising conditions, not threatened by rising crime rates, spiralling cost of living, increase in religious persecution, explicit or subtle.”
On March 8, the country will go to the voting booths for the Parliamentary elections, held in advance (having been previously scheduled in 2009) upon the request of Premier Abdullah Badawi, leader of the Umno, the “Malaysia United Organization Party,” that heads up a multi-partisan coalition called, “National Front.”
The opposition, on the other hand, consists of the “Justice Party,” led by Anwar Ibrahim, an affiliate of the Islamic party Pas and another party representing the Chinese ethnic community.
Although the vote appears to be leaning in favor of the Umno, the opposition hopes for positive results, taking advantage of the general discontent among the society due to the inequality created by the NEP, the “New Economical Policy” adopted by the Umno. The NEP tends to favor citizens of Malaysian ethnic origin in the economic world and the educational system, and therefore, it is a policy that has not been well-received by the other two main ethnic groups in the country, i.e. the Indians and Chinese, who consider it discriminatory. With the upcoming elections, the leaders of the Catholic community have once again reminded citizens of the Church’s teaching on social doctrine, as well as, the defense for the fundamental rights of the human person, care for the poor and marginalized, and the fight against corruption. The Church’s call has also reminded the faithful that “Catholics have the right and duty to recall society to a deeper understanding of human life and to the responsibility of everyone in this regard.” “This duty requires us to build the essential conditions for a culture of life, freedom and opportunity to all, regardless of one’s religion or race. It is deeply interwoven with our broad obligation to promote the common good of all humanity.”
The statement exhorts the faithful to “pray for the discerning Spirit and cast the vote for the good of the country and God’s greater glory.”
Together with the Catholic Church, the other Christian churches of Malaysia have begun an awareness campaign, inviting all citizens to “vote wisely and intelligently,” a phrase now translated into Malaysia’s various languages and used as a slogan during elections. Christians offer citizens some criteria for evaluating the candidates. Some of the key points are: support for freedom of conscience and religion, moral integrity and the fight against corruption, a commitment to equality and solidarity; care for the environment. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/3/2008 righe 42, parole 524)
