Wednesday September 28, 2005
House astir over ‘azan’ proposal
Reports by NICK LEONG, IZATUN SHARI AND ELIZABETH LOOI
A PROPOSAL by Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw to regulate the Azan (a Muslim call for prayer) so that it will not be too loud or disturb non-Muslims caused a stir in the House.
Muslim MPs accused him of being insensitive and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mohamad Nazri Abdul Aziz blasted the DAP member for allegedly trying to destroy the multi-religious tolerance in the country.
Dr Tan made his remarks when he diverted from the topic of allocation for mosques in the 2006 Budget during the debate on Supplementary Supply Bill at the committee stage.
“I have received complaints from people in my constituency, which has a majority of non-Muslims, that the azan for subuh (dawn) prayers is too loud and wakes them up abruptly. I hope the Government will regulate this,” he said to objections and shouts from several MPs.
Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN – Sri Gading) warned Dr Tan to stop talking about the matter as, he said, it was a sensitive issue.
Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar (BN – Larut), citing the Standing Order, told Dr Tan to retract his remarks.
Mohamad Nazri, when winding up the debate, told the DAP MP that he should not attempt to destroy the tolerance among the multi-religious society that had been upheld for many years in the country.
News Poll
- Teacher held for oral sex on Year Two girl
- Lau sought psychiatrist’s help after death of fan’s dad
- Police shoot dead leader of ‘Berong Gang’
- Australian court sentences Malaysian who posed as taxi driver
- Prime Minister comes up with plan to end crisis in MCA
- Teoh Beng Hock exhumed for second autopsy (Update)
- Fresh polls in six to eight months if new mechanism used
- Settle RM57, 5As pupil told High scorer can’t collect result slip
- Eli’s ex still being sought by cops
- Foreign woman falls to death at high-end condo
- Australian court sentences Malaysian who posed as taxi driver
- Teacher held for oral sex on Year Two girl
- 10 states see increase in number of dengue cases
- AirAsia launches new flights to three Indian cities
- Lau sought psychiatrist’s help after death of fan’s dad
- Prime Minister comes up with plan to end crisis in MCA
- Take care of yourself first
- Police shoot dead leader of ‘Berong Gang’
- Indonesia seizes 75tons of explosive material from M’sia
- Teoh Beng Hock exhumed for second autopsy (Update)
RSS
