Christian Missionaries in Malaysia Spark Quarrel Amid Asian Anglican Leader, Islamic Party President

Malaysian Missionaries
Bishop of the Anglican Church's Kuching Diocese, Datuk Bolly Lapok criticized PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang for making disparaging remarks against Christians in Sarawak. Reuters

Bishop Datuk Bolly Lapok of the Anglican Church's Kuching Diocese in Sarawak, Malaysia, said Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had no right to talk about Christians and Sarawak's indigenous people, the Dayaks, in such recent disparaging manners. Hadi, whose observations were published in a PAS document, was cited as saying "Christian missionaries used unethical means to spread their faith."

Hadi's remarks were against Christian missionaries in Sarawak and Sabah, according to The Malaysian Insider.

Bolly, who also is the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Southeast Asia, said the Islamist party president was a "loose cannon" and a person of "no substance."

"With due respect to him as a one of the political leaders, Hadi (should) put all of his condemning words in a basket and throw it into our Sarawak river. He (is) plainly mischievous," Bolly said.

Hadi's remarks were published in the PAS organ, Harakah. He stated Christianity is no longer attractive in countries where there is a high level of education, such as Germany, France, Britain and other European countries. They brought their teaching to the interiors of our country like Sabah and Sarawak.

"I do not know what sort of books he is reading, what sources he is quoting or how he reached that observation. He is a person of no substance, and has no right to talk about Christians or the Dayaks in Sarawak," Bolly told The Malaysian Insider.

Hadi also said Christian missionaries used unethical means to spread their faith, such as giving money and other incentives.

Bolly attacked these remarks, saying Sarawak's history showed that Christians in the state, the majority of whom are Dayak people, would disagree that they had been exploited.

"Humans are imperfect, but to dismiss the whole missionary movement as rejected in Europe is completely arrogant and mischievous," Bolly said.

Christianity appeared in Sarawak in the 1930s through missionaries. Bolly, chair of the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM), said he heard of Hadi's remarks on Wednesday when he arrived home from the Meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion in Canterbury, England. At the meeting, Anglican clerics discussed the issue of moderation and the threat to civilization posed by the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group.

Bolly said even governments of Muslim countries were calling for help to fight the ISIS threat.

Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Sarawak chairman Mohamad Fidzuan Zaidi described Hadi's statement on Christian missionaries as insensitive. The former Parti Islam SeMalaysia Sarawak election director said such baseless criticism would not do well in a multi-racial and multi-religious state.

"Amanah Sarawak rejects any effort to belittle other religions," he said. 

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.