Of Saints and Sinners

Malaysians who are critical of their government (not to be confused with the country), especially if such a view is expressed outside of the country, are deemed to have committed a cardinal sin.

Minister in the Prime Ministers Department Jamil Khir Baharom cautioned: We should love our country and be prepared to defend it, as defending our own country is a jihad (holy war) which carries a big divine reward. Hence, if the reward is big (for such a jihad), it is also a big sin for one to tarnish ones own countrys image and honour to cause upheaval in the country.

But what if some concerned Malaysians were to have expressed their deep concern and love for their country by highlighting and talking about the injustice, corruption, abuse of power and mismanagement of financial resources, among others, thatexist in our midst in the hope that these things would be addressed and redressed?

Jamils remarkemerged in the wake of a critical comment made by Lembah Pantai member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar that was said to have tarnished the countrys image and reputation.

One wonders what would the Saints have done instead apart from flying the Jalur Gemilang