Press Statement

The Council of Churches of Malaysia welcomes the sincere and forthright assertion of Raja Nazrin Shah, the Raja Muda of Perak, that “this country belongs to all Malaysians” and that the Federal Constitution is supreme and provides an enduring foundation of our nationhood.

His Highness made this assertion in the context of his speech on “Prospects and Challenges for Nation Building” at the Young Malaysians’ Roundtable Discussion on National Unity and Development in Malaysia, held in Kuala Lumpur on 5th April.

The Council of Churches of Malaysia supports several of the points made in his speech which calls for the freedom for all Malaysians to live their lives within the framework of mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. 

The Council of Churches of Malaysia has always called for the core tenets of our Constitution, namely, freedom, equality, social justice, and peaceful coexistence, to be made evident to a greater degree in the affairs of our nation.

We call on the government to take heed of the royal advice provided by His Highness, and allow and foster constructive dialogue with all quarters of society, in order to ensure that mutual understanding, respect, goodwill, and social harmony will grow in our nation.

Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri,
General Secretary
Council of Churches of Malaysia
5th April 2007