Sunday, July 21, 2013

Apostolic nuncio censured by Malaysian PM

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The Malaysian government has strongly censured Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Joseph Marino for not observing established diplomatic protocols and interefering in the affairs of the country, The Edge reports.

In a strongly worded statement late this past Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Malaysia does not welcome foreign interference or influence on the sensitive matter of the usage of the word "Allah".

This is the statement in full:

'The government's decision to establish diplomatic relations with the Vatican was in  recognition of the importance of cultural and religious dialogue to promote friendship and harmony. 

The Vatican, however, like any foreign mission, is required to observe the established diplomatic protocols, which among others, require them not to interfere in the domestic affairs of the host country. It is regrettable that the Vatican mission head HE Joseph Marino, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Vatican to Malaysia has done otherwise.

The matter (usage of the word 'Allah') is currently being heard at the Court of Appeal and all parties should let the case be determined according to rule of law of the country. As a sovereign country, Malaysia does not welcome foreign interference or influence on this sensitive issue. Such interference will only stoke religious sentiments in the country and is not helpful in contributing towards ensuring racial and religious stabliity and harmony in Malaysia.'

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman called Marino on Tuesday to his office, where Marino assured him that those comments 'were never intended as an attempt to intrude into the internal affairs of the country,' Marino's office said in a statement, the NZ Herald adds.

Marino asked the minister 'to convey apologies for any misunderstandings and inconveniences that it may have caused,' the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement that Anifah advised Marino to 'be mindful of the religious sensitivities of the host country" and asked him to "observe the basic principles in diplomatic practices and non-interference with the domestic affairs of the host country.'