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1.
“CHRISTMAS. Mention the word and all kind of thoughts comes to mind. Baby
Jesus laying on a manger, Mary and Joseph, the wise kings, Santa Claus, gifts,
Christmas trees, carolling, shopping, holidays and the list goes on.
2.
For me personally, as the Christmas
atmosphere fill the air, somehow an event that happened in April this year kept
coming to my mind. The demise of Pope John Paul II. And the fact that the
Government gave me the responsibility not only to represent the Christian
community in the country but also to lead a Malaysian delegation for the funeral
of the successor of St Peter in the Vatican City, Rome. It was an experience of
a lifetime.
3.
There were more than four million people converging to pay their final
respect to the Holy Father at that tiny headquarters of the Catholic community.
And millions more were glued to their television sets around the world as
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who is now Pope Benedict XVI, presided over the Holy
Eucharist at the funeral service.
4.
I was just one of the thousands people privileged enough to be at the St
Peter’s Square that very moment. When it was time for the Holy Communion, it
dawned on me that only about one third of those present took part. Yet the great
majority were equally solemn and respectful. Looking around, I saw among others
President George W Bush, Prince Charles, President Mugabe, Dato’ Dr Abdullah
Mohd Zin who represented the Muslim community in our country, as well as
religious leaders of other creed and faith from around the world.
5.
The new pope had since put his predecessor’s path to sainthood on the
fast track. One of the criteria for sainthood is a known miracle that happened
after the death of the person. To me that funeral was Pope John Paul’s first
miracle simply because his death enabled scores of people including
non-Christians, to converge in Rome in peace and harmony.
6.
Pope John Paul II, no doubt, was a great man of God. Pope John Paul II
was preaching and living a life of forgiveness, peace, justice, compassion and
love for all humanity. Ironically, he was actually only living his life
following the way of the Cross. His sole motivation, guidance, mentor and all
was Jesus Christ whose birthday we are going to commemorate for the next one
month or so. Perhaps that was why his motto was Servant of Servants.
7.
For us in Malaysia, I am glad that the Government led by Prime Minister
Dato’ Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi saw it fit for Malaysia to be represented
for the Pope’s funeral. In fact, our former Premier, Tun Mahathir Mohamad during
his tenure visited the Pope once. These are proof of our country’s commitment to
religious freedom. The government’s renewed emphasis on Rukun Negara including
its first item – Belief in God – speak volumes of our uniqueness as a nation.
8.
It also mean it is incumbent upon Malaysians who are Christians to
shoulder and embrace every responsibility to help our fellow citizens in the
nation building of our beloved country as we march ever closer to Vision 2020.
The government expects that much from us and I am sure we will deliver as we
have always done.
9.
We can start this in our family, doing our very best as parents and
children. We must also excel in doing the best for our kampung, district and
State. In so doing, we will contribute towards the making of a great nation.
10.
The New Year 2006 holds much promise
for us, not in the least because of the Ninth Malaysia Plan as well as the
government determination to better the delivery system, among others. Much of
what we endeavour, especially through the many efforts of my party Upko, are
taken into consideration. These include providing better infrastructure and the
basic necessity to our people especially those in rural areas. Still the known
recipe for success is hard work and perseverance. And these are qualities in
born with us. So let us usher the future with optimism and great expectation. We
all are on the right track to excellence.
11.
Let us also continue the rumah terbuka tradition. And in this context, my
wife Diana and I cordially invite one and all to our open house from 11am to 2pm
at our residence Mansakazon Heights, Penampang on Christmas day.
12.
Let the baby Jesus inspire us to excel, just like how he enabled Pope
John Paul II to touch the world. God loved the world so much that He gave His
only Son so that everyone who believes in Him may not be lost but may have
eternal life (John 3:16). This is a very powerful word; it is a very comforting
promise. Have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all fellow
Malaysians.
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