Dear Editor,

Just read with great interest the latest HERALD of Jan 24 and, sadly, letters and opinions from the readers.

I just want to say Press On as we have centuries of religious history, the local and especially East Malaysia Christian and Catholic culture, the Federal Constitution and above all, our Almighty “Allah” on our side. So, what is there to fear?

What are a few dollars in our quest to reveal the truth and seek justice and our basic right? Things would not have festered to this stage had there been greater political will, less political play and affirmative action taken in the early stages. So too do we see today the culprits behind these so-called church and surau attacks as nothing more than street hooligans. Are we going to let a bunch of very small time thugs and mobsters put fear and derail us?

I believe that the majority of Catholics would want HERALD and the Church to proceed with the appeal and not be intimidated by political statements and overtones, unconstitutional state enactments, threats of national security, etc.

In fact, we can see strong and affirmative support from the moderate and learned Malay majority of the population besides the conservative Islamist PAS which appear to be more open on this issue and clearly support HERALD’s stand as opposed to the government in power.

If after 52 years of independence, we are still not able to ride this through and seek what is rightly ours, then there is much to be feared and I shudder to think of the future of our children. Backing down today would just lead to more of such bullying tactics under the guise of “compromises for the sake of national security” in the years ahead.

Press ahead, seek the truth and don’t back down, please!

Robin Rangel,
KL