Call for more funds for non-Muslim bodies, institutions

KOTA KINABALU: Kapayan assemblyman Dr Edwin Bosi has praised Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, for allocating RM10 million from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) to non-Islamic places of worship in Sabah.

“For me, the gesture from Abdul Rahman is commendable, but I had hoped that this was done earlier and not when the 14th general election is around the corner,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Bosi, who is Parti Anak Negeri Penampang chief, said he had raised many issues affecting the non-Muslim community, in particular, the Christians.

“I have raised my concern on the Islamization of Christians in Pitas, Nabawan and Pensiangan. I must say that I received good answers from the government on this matter and what is more important is that the government knows and understands the feelings of non-Muslims on the alleged conversion issue,” he said, adding that these issues are not new or sensitive as they were already been highlighted in the media.

Bosi said that he was quite happy to note that Abdul Rahman had vowed to ensure that the interests of the Christians community will be safeguarded. This safeguard was also echoed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, according to Abdul Rahman.

“In this regard, I hope Abdul Rahman and the others can and will guarantee the freedom of religion according to the meaning and spirit when it was inscribed onto the Keningau Oath Stone,” he said.

Bosi said he would like to see the annual allocation for non-Muslim bodies and institutions in Sabah increased from RM20 million to RM100 million.

“I would also urge the government to provide land and funds for the erection of chapels in Christian-dominated villages.

“At the Sabah Assembly, I had requested the government to also provide special rooms for non-Muslim religious activity in every Federal-funded project, including hospitals and government complexes. I had sought the support of the government for the establishment of a Christian radio station in Sabah. I had urged the government to have a minister in charge of non-Muslim affairs in Sabah. I spoke about the problems faced by many Christians who have Islam indicated in their MyKads, possibly due to the word ‘Bin' and ‘Binti' inserted with their names and had urged the government to resolve this matter,” he said.

Bosi said he agreed with Abdul Rahman's view than Sabah can be a role model to the country and even to the world where Christians and Muslims in Sepanggar could live together in harmony.