By Adib Zalkapli, The Malaysian Insider
Utusan Malaysia columnist Dr Ridhuan Tee Abdullah defended today the action by aides of Datuk Seri Najib Razak who sought the removal of Christian symbols at a Christmas gathering a week ago.
The conservative Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia lecturer said the instruction did not violate freedom of religion, and urged the Christians to respect the prime minister’s Islamic faith.
“In my opinion if there is any truth in the report, the request of the prime minister’s office is tolerable. It has nothing to do with violation of religious freedom, except for those who seek political mileage,” said Tee in his weekly column published by Utusan Malaysia’s Sunday edition, Mingguan Malaysia.
He said Christians have never been prevented from celebrating Christmas despite forming less than ten per cent of the population and indicated that the community should tone down its celebration to reflect its population size.
“Christmas celebration sometimes looks as if they form more than 50 per cent of the population. Out of respect for religious freedom, no restriction has been imposed, although it should be celebrated moderately as they are less than ten per cent of the population,” he added.
Last week, The Malaysian Insider reported that Najib’s aides had instructed church officials to remove crucifixes and other overt Christian symbols from being displayed at the party grounds in Bukit Nanas before the PM’s visit, in their zeal to protect his Islamic credentials.
Hymns and prayers were also barred.
Sources disclosed that the orders were issued without the PM’s knowledge. He is now away on holidays in Dubai and is due to return this week.
It was Najib’s first time attending a Christian function in his official role since taking over power in April 2009.
Tee, however, said Najib’s presence at the Christmas celebration was a major compromise made as a Muslim.
“True, Christians have every right to mark the celebration. But shouldn’t they show some respect to the prime minister as the No 1 leader who is a Muslim?” asked Tee.
“According to the Islamic laws, Muslims are not supposed to attend many of the non-Islamic celebrations, but for the sake of promoting tolerance and harmony, our leaders decided to close one eye.
“In my opinion, even without the instruction, the church should have understood Muslim sensitivities in the country after 53 years of independence. However, if it is no longer an issue, I suggest for the Selangor or Kelantan mentri besar to one day officiate the opening of a temple or a church. I am confident non-Muslims too would not be comfortable if we have them attend Islamic celebrations in mosques,” he added.
Both states mentioned are run by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) governments and have been subject to criticisms by Tee, who has never hidden his admiration for Umno and its policies.
Tee also said that Najib would suffer political setback if his aides had not taken the precautions.
“Imagine if the prime minister was not cautious when entering the ‘house of worship’, pictures of the prime minister with a crucifix over his head would surface. It will be politicised by the opposition,” said Tee.

written by benjo, January 03, 2011 15:31:50
written by Hello Keithy, January 03, 2011 15:30:53
written by jalapeno, January 03, 2011 14:42:42
written by capricorn, January 03, 2011 13:59:00
written by imanj, January 03, 2011 12:33:14
My non-muslim families and friends attending my muslim wedding at a mosque..By the way my hubby and I are both muslim converts..Also can you clarify why are muslims always thought to be sensitive bunch of people+..Don't collectively speak for anyone for your instigations on basely arguements can lead to unpleasantness between families who are related to muslims..It already has...!
It's time for the PM to read up on how to be a Leader for at this present moment since he took office, we seem to have a workforce that is running around in diapers with a rash..!! mmm might want to rethink that one,cause babies,infants,toddlers show far more intelligence than the present kind of grown-ups that are the bain of Malaysia's escalating crap...!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR PEOPLE...Resolutions.....Don't believe I need to rectify anything if I had the presence of mind to take good steps and measures in the first place..!!!
written by justice seeker, January 03, 2011 09:49:39
WALAU EH. YOU ARE EVEN MORE MALAY AND MUSLIM THAN THE MAMAK LAH!!
written by Catharsis, January 03, 2011 09:06:03
written by Apek, January 03, 2011 09:05:04
You divide the people you fool.
written by Fart Fart Wah, January 03, 2011 08:50:53
How much are you being paid for this total bullshit??? There is historic evidence that this man died on a crucifix. There is historic evidence that he is a prophet of peace and forgiveness and tolerance. What more do you want as a model for humankind. A prophet who has 13 wives and rumored to have taken his brother-in-laws' wife too and concubines and who married a young 9 year old girl? Who do you prefer as an example? A man who has blood in his hands or a peacemaker who was prepared to be killed in order that his followers might live and who forgave his enemies while dying?? The scandals surrounding prophet Muhammad has not been scientifically cleared. This man who was accused to have sired a dynasty was proven that no such thing took place in a DNA study by Natural Geography channel. He has been vindicated. Muhammad has not been vindicated because every time someone talks about his weaknesses ..there are bombs and threats and fires started which kill innocent people..reflecting the very root of Muslim teaching of violence to shut others up. Ridhuan..read more do not put your head in the sand..do honest research and stop sucking up to UMNO's money.
written by durianbesar, January 03, 2011 04:03:59
Stop being a Islamic scholar.... you are not.. nothing but an assssholee..... wearing and hiding behind religeon. All religeous beliefs tolerates each other.... and there is nothing wrong... when my Muslim friends come over for Christmas at my home or I go over to their homes... we were brought up in the same neighbourhoods and we have always enjoyed Raya cakes and goodies and they our Christmas goodies and many meals have passed and we are all the stronger in our beliefs....
What is it that has gone to this stage...?????
YOu motherfcukers are the one's who are creating racial divides, religeous intolerances and much more......
My friends are still devout Muslims, and have remained steadfast even when they spend hours at my home playing carom or going to St. John Ambulance and boy scout activities and much more....
Everyone enjoys each others company.... why are you trying to sow seeds of discord into our society....... go to hell and get fcuked....
written by storm62, January 03, 2011 02:50:39
written by FreeAsian, January 03, 2011 02:05:36
Now, what's wrong with a picture of the PM with a crucifix over his head? Wouldn't that be the perfect picture of religious tolerance? WTF is wrong with these ultra religious bigots like Tee?
written by a guest, January 03, 2011 01:27:54
As for the fundamentalist Muslims you know you guys will rot in Hell forever.
written by Smiles21, January 03, 2011 01:08:19
written by albert zacharias, January 03, 2011 00:21:51
Chinese New Year is around the corner and all the supermarkets will be decorating and playing Chinese New Year Songs... Please don't bother going into any until you have asked them to take all the decorations down and stop the music OK?????
written by budak kampong, January 03, 2011 00:21:15
written by MaddieC, January 02, 2011 23:36:22
“I have been informed that the self-proclaimed ustaz, Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, has cut and paste someone’s article from the blog and claimed as his in his promotion exercise. He was found out by his university, but no action has been taken against him. Please investigate further and if it is true, please expose this fraudster. You do will the Muslim and non Muslim community, as well as Islam a big favour. Islam does not need munafik like him .……. ask his colleagues at his university. Almost all of them are aware of what happened. Or can even ask Ridhuan Tee himself. If he denies, ask him to swear on the Koran in front of his colleagues. We really have to expose this fake ustaz as he is getting worse by the days.”
written by mikemui, January 02, 2011 23:26:25
written by Revolution, January 02, 2011 22:03:40
You have to face the people you suck !!!
written by ellyna, January 02, 2011 21:55:21
written by Aming, January 02, 2011 21:41:20
written by lamakawan, January 02, 2011 21:36:58
Go complete your circumcision before you open your mouth !!!!!!
written by Linda J, January 02, 2011 21:32:57
written by Linda J, January 02, 2011 21:30:17
written by nanyangren, January 02, 2011 21:00:35
by the same reasoning of yours, surau and mosque should also tone down their loudness in predominantly non muslim areas like Penang?
Numbskull.
written by SoundMan, January 02, 2011 20:25:18
With regards to this Dr Ridhuan Tee Abdullah I am thoroughly whacked
This Tee Abdullah is one of Indah Water's septic tanks manholes. Spewing the build-up of pungent hot gases....

written by ibabonma, January 02, 2011 19:58:07
My sister who is a cikgu married to a Chinese convert. Each time she and her husband spend their time at her in-law house who practices Taoism, they have to do their prayer in front of the Taoist deity, because that is in the direction of ‘kiblat’ or Mecca. Further, the house is too small. So what is the fuss? Move the Deity to another location and make yourself stupid? How about that, HARAMSANI and DR RIDHUAN BODO?
written by NSTPravda, January 02, 2011 19:16:05


written by peace brother, January 02, 2011 19:12:15
written by Concerned_Citizen, January 02, 2011 19:05:38
The gomen should publish in the news that Tee has been successfully made a Malay, first of the kind. Oopss, sorry, it should be UMNO Racist Malay Converter.
written by JayJayPo, January 02, 2011 19:04:06
The people of Xin Jiang just called.......they dont want this piece of shit either.
written by fandi, January 02, 2011 18:53:53
written by alacarte, January 02, 2011 18:25:29
We should send him to China and live in Xin Jiang, so that he can re-learn to be a Chinese Muslim rather than Imitation Malay Muslim.
written by onnetline, January 02, 2011 18:00:54
What would a converted racist pariah like you know about the good practice of tolerance and racial harmony ? ?
written by Stupid me, January 02, 2011 18:00:27
written by doitanyway, January 02, 2011 17:37:32
written by jokersland, January 02, 2011 17:19:44
.................................................................................................................
Hello ultra-pariah Tee, other has to respect the PM faith, the PM need not have to respect others faith's ? Then, where is the freedom of religion are talking about ? If the PM felt offended, then by all means, just told him to fark off. He's not welcome to attend the celebration.
written by Malaysiaputra, January 02, 2011 17:15:39
It makes me ponder which portray a true Muslim ?. The one with a faith is like loveletters that looks lovely but is easily shattered or the one whose faith is in his heart ?.
written by eloofk, January 02, 2011 16:42:21
Why dont Najib order the demolition of the church altogether if it stands in his way and showing the people his holier than thou believe!!!
If this insect Ridhuan Tee has nothing to do, than he can start a crusade to destroy everthing that is Christian!!!
What a holy insect he is!!!
written by temenggong, January 02, 2011 16:33:43
written by SiHangChai, January 02, 2011 16:32:04
Earlier you commented that there is a miscommunication, and there is no instruction from Najib's aides requesting the removal of the holy Jesus. Well, now Ridhuan Tee Abdullah has confirmed that there was such directive. It is pity that the Arch Bishop chosen to lie when he shouldn't. Why do we Christians have to stand low and force to swallow and humilated by these fanatic Muslims. Is there an offence to have the crucifix in church? Nobody askes the PM to come as he himself is the busybody person in asking so to celebrate his 1-Malaysia during Christmas, and yet he chosen to be deaf on this issue instead of coming out with a statement.
And ... this is what we call 1-Malaysia?
written by earthman, January 02, 2011 16:31:08
written by malgal, January 02, 2011 16:21:13
But Jesus stays in my heart.
written by Angela Ooi, January 02, 2011 16:16:36
WTF, please stay away, do not try to gain political mileage from this PRO exercise. Everyone knows he has been FORCED to play 1Malaysian eversince Khalid Samad and other Pakatan Muslim leaders visited churches and temples.





















... wonder what his students can learn anything from him...
He rubs the PM's shoulder and hope to get a promotion very soon... there is a vacancy at Universiti Tandas...
He must have been bullied during his school days... or deprived of something...
Is he now entitled to discounts buying houses and whatever else... and can he buy saham that gives 12% or more??? Ya?
I know many good and great Chinese Muslim but I am real ashamed of this one... memalukan... kepala kelapa... coconut head.... bukan tak pakai otak... dia tak ada otak... sangat memalukan... che!