KUCHING, Aug 30: The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) reminds the nation of individuals still unaccounted for including Amri Che Mat, Pastor Raymond Koh, Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth Sitepu in its Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day 2022 message.
CFM said as the Malaysian Family, the Christian community continues to feel the pain of the family members of Amri and Koh who have been said by Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to have been forcibly disappeared and whose whereabouts are still unknown to this day.
“So, too, Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth Sitepu. Their families continue to ask and to seek information from the government and the police as to their whereabouts.
“They are the missing members of our Malaysian Family.
“At the same time, let us not forget that many others have died in police cells and the immigration detention centres under suspicious circumstances that need clear explanations to their family members,” said CFM in the message which were undersigned by its chairman Very Reverend Philip Thomas Cor Episcopa and three vice chairmen Archbishop Dr Simon Poh, Bishop Datuk Danald Jute and Reverend Dr Eu Hong Seng.
The federation pointed out that Malaysians will celebrate with much joy and happiness the 65th anniversary of Merdeka Day on Aug 31 and the 59th anniversary of the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16 with the theme “Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama” (Malaysian Family Stronger Together).
“The Christian Federation of Malaysia representing the Christian community in Malaysia pledge our continued prayers to Almighty God to seek His continued blessings upon our beloved nation,” said CFM.
It expressed support for Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his government’s policy theme of Keluarga Malaysia.
“This is very commendable and heart-warming as it focused on economic, business and social policies to bring Malaysians together out of the pandemic and into an era of economic recovery for businesses and socio-economic upliftment for Malaysians as we had to endure financial losses over the course of the two years.
“Let us remember our common experiences over the past two years of the pandemic that we need each other and that we continue to personify our national motto “Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu” (Unity is Strength) in being united as Malaysians for without that unity we would only be separated and divided.”
CFM said in recent times Ismail Sabri has espoused the Islamic concept of tasamuh, of tolerance or open-mindedness to ensure peace, harmony and unity in the nation and that all may enjoy the good life under the Malaysian sun.
“We strongly encourage the government and all Malaysians to go beyond tolerance to mutual respect, to celebrate the diversities of our Malaysian ethnic groups, cultures, religions and languages and to build on the strong bonds of friendships among ourselves as a Malaysian Family.
“We unreservedly urge the government then to continue to look after all Malaysians and especially the needy and the marginalised especially the urban poor, those of us who are differently-abled, the Orang Asli and the indigenous peoples living in the deep interiors so that none may be left out,” said CFM. — DayakDaily
