MISSIONS
Like the Petronas Towers Malaysia aspires to be industrialised but remaining fundamentally an islamic nation. Apart from a token exemption from the compulsory allotment of significant block of shares in public listed and foreign owned companies operating in service related industries very little was achieved to date since PM Nazib took office and declare the 'new' 1Malaysia path to national unity. The continue confisication of Bibles by Malaysian Customs, strict restriction on new church buildings and arrest of Christians (article below) only show that Malaysia is still a long way from its fulfilling the nation's founding fathers intention of given all its citizens the freedom of belief.
read also Star's Wong Chun Wai "Let's Pray for Understanding"
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July 15, 2009 Christians arrested in M'sia
KUALA LUMPUR (Malaysia) - MALAYSIAN police have arrested nine Christians accused of trying to convert Muslim university students - a serious crime punishable by prison in this Muslim-majority country, a lawyer said on Wednesday.
The suspects have denied the allegation, which could aggravate complaints by religious minorities that authorities are increasingly ignoring their rights in favour of Islam.
Proselytising of Muslims by members of other religions is forbidden in Malaysia, though the reverse is allowed. Muslims, who comprise nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 28 million people, are also not legally permitted to change religion.
Police detained the nine in a hostel room at the Universiti Putra Malaysia near Kuala Lumpur late on Tuesday, said Annou Xavier, a lawyer who handles cases involving religion. He spoke to The Associated Press by phone from the police station where the nine are being held.
They claimed they were visiting friends, but a Muslim student apparently filed a police complaint accusing them of trying to convert Muslims, Mr Xavier said.
'These allegations are baseless and untrue,' Mr Xavier said.
The identities of the nine were not immediately clear. The Malaysian Insider independent news Web site said they were students belonging to a Malaysian Christian organisation.
Zahedi Ayob, the police chief of Sepang district near Kuala Lumpur, said he could not immediately confirm the arrests.
Cases of non-Muslims preaching to Muslims are rare in Malaysia.
Penalties differ for various states, but most provide for prison terms of at least two years. One northern state also prescribes a punishment of six lashes with a rattan cane. -- AP