In a Bernama report reproduced in many newspapers on 25 November 1999, R. Thiagaraja, the secretary of the MCCBCHS claimed that the Council had pledged to support the Barisan Nasional.

He said that the Council "had unanimously resolved to support the BN after careful consideration".

However, according to Bishop Datuk Dr Lim Cheng Ean and Bishop Anthony Selvanayagam, vice-president and committee member of the MCCBCHS respectively, "the statement by Mr Thiagaraja is not correct". In their joint press statement dated 26 November they have clarified that "there has been no agreement among the religious groups represented in the MCCBCHS to endorse any political party or coalition in the forthcoming elections".

This suggests that Mr Thiagaraja has told a blatant lie. This is utterly shameful coming from a person holding a responsible and sensitive position.

He has misrepresented the Council and misled the public.

He has dragged the Council’s good name into the mud of partisan politics.

Aliran calls on him to resign from his position immediately and apologise to the adherents of the different truths represented in the Council.

If he does not resign, Aliran calls upon the Council to dismiss him for discrediting the good name of the Council.