I’m Catholic and I won’t use ‘Allah’. Are you happy now?

Francis Paul Siah

Executive Editor

I’m a Catholic and a Sarawakian but I reside in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. On the “Allah” issue, what should I do or rather, where do I stand?

I have been told that Christians and other non-Muslims can use “Allah” to refer to God in Sarawak and Sabah but not in Malaya. I’m not sure whether that is a court ruling, a royal decree or just a political decision.

Find a way for these East M’sians to vote, EC told

The Election Commission (EC) has been told to find a way to enable East Malaysians studying, working or residing in Peninsular Malaysia to vote.

There are many Sarawakians and Sabahans who are ‘stranded’ in the peninsula on May 5. They will not be able to vote because they could not afford to return home.

Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) leader Francis Paul Siah felt that it was the EC’s responsibility to devise a mechanism to resolve this long-standing issue.

MoCS says better for Sarawak to pull out too

For the first time, a Sarawak NGO has openly stated that the state would be better off being independent.

The Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) said that the on-going religious debate in Peninsular Malaysia which took on a dangerous turn of late has caused great concern among Sarawakians.

 “We, Sarawakians, want no part in this heated quarrel over the Allah issue. The people of Sabah and Sarawak have no religious or racial problems and we don’t wish to be contaminated with ‘religious poison’ from bigots and ‘dangerous’ politicians like Ibrahim Ali from Malaya,” MoCS leader Francis Paul Siah said in a statement here today.

MoCS is back, to launch anti-corruption crusade

After a six-month hiatus, the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) will resume its work in Sarawak come Feb 13.

“We will continue where we left off. The Red Rally last August 13 was the final event of our one-year campaign to oust Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud. While MoCS conceded defeat to Taib, we never lose sight of ‘Ops Taibetes’. We merely took a break,” the movement’s leader, Francis Paul Siah, said in a statement today.

Let’s not idolise political leaders, Anwar included

By Francis Paul Siah

In recent months, I’ve written at length on politics and political leadership in the country. I feel compelled to touch on the same subject again this week ahead of the Jan 9 Sodomy II court decision involving Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Previously, I’ve also stressed that we, Malaysians, should wise up and stop hero-worshipping political leaders. Why! I feel that there are no politicians in the country today worthy of such servile flattery. No, there are no Mahatma Gandhi(s) or Nelson Mandela(s) here. I wish to repeat that again.

A ‘donkey’ is better than Taib

KUCHING – Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) leader Francis Paul Siah said today that Sarawak would be better off having a ‘donkey’ for a chief minister than Abdul Taib Mahmud.

“Taib’s sycophants in Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB) who had lambasted MoCS for its campaign to oust Taib seem to think that the chief minister is the smartest and most capable man in Sarawak who should rule forever.

“Lest we forget, some of the early leaders of Sarawak were illiterate. A former Sarawak minister in the Federal Cabinet never went to school. Two former Sarawak chief ministers were not highly educated.

No, I haven’t quit as MoCS leader … not yet

Francis Paul Siah writes…

This was published in the New Straits Times today under the heading ‘Siah quits over failure to oust Taib’.
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/15siah/Article/

The article is fair but not altogether correct.

My clarifications are in bold.

KUCHING: The Movement of Change Sarawak (MoCS) head Francis Siah has called it quits, a day after a rally he organised to drum up public support to drive Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud out of office failed to materialise.

Why I Call Off The Rally?

Dear MoCS fellows and friends,

So this is how it ended – an anti-climax. I am also very disappointed with my decision. But I have to make one for MoCS.

Only God knows why I finally decided to call it off.

Siah and 8 others barred from rally

Sarawak police have clamped down on the organisors
of tomorrow's Walk for Democracy and Reforms.

KUCHING: Police here have obtained a restraining order against Movement of Change Sarawak (MoCS) chief Francis Siah and eight others in relation to tomorrow’s ‘Walk for Democracy and Reform’ at the Museum Garden, here.

All nine have been barred from taking part in the walk, known here as the Red Rally,  or being anywhere in or near the vicinity of the Museum Garden.

MoCS rally: Police demands met, Siah to meet CP

KUCHING: The Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) said today that it has fulfilled the requirements of the police to hold its ‘Walk for Democracy and Reform’ on August 13 in the state capital.

“We remain hopeful for a police permit. We have listened to the police’s advice and had agreed to and fulfilled their two conditions,” MoCS leader Francis Paul Siah said in a statement.

According to Siah, the police would only allow a stationary rally with no march or procession and that the application for the permit must be made through a registered organization.