Upko slams group for creating issue out of celebration
KOTA KINABALU: United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) has lambasted the group that had raised objections to the districtlevel Christmas and New Year celebrationin Tawau.
“Upko is very disappointed and concerned over the actions of a certain group in Tawau, who claimed to represent the Islamic community to express their objection over Christmas and New Year’s celebration organized by the Tawau parliamentary office.
“In their objection, the group accused a bishop of preaching to the Muslim community in his speech,” said the co-chairman of the party’s religious and racial harmony bureau, Jasni Rijan, in a statement, here yesterday.
Jasni said Christmas is an important celebration for the Christians as it marks the birth of Jesus Christ; it is a day for Christians to give thanks and renew their faith - a chance for them to accept and forgive each other.
In Sabah, Christmas is more than a spiritual celebration as harmony, peace and unity is deeply imbued in the people celebrating it here; even those who practice other religions would treat Christmas with respect and tolerance, Jasni added.
He stressed that the law or constitution has never forced the people to celebrate Christmas or any other religious celebrations.
“Instead, the people here, who are of different races and religions, have chosen to safeguard the harmony, peace and unity so that everyone can celebrate in deep mutual understanding and accept this unique unity in diversity.
“This togetherness represents our collective strength as Sabahans - we have become a fortress against extremism and will continue to do so,” said Jasni.
In this regard, Jasni asserted that Upko strenuously rejects and opposes the baseless allegations made by this said group, who claimed to comprise various religious, social and political associations.
“Upko is confident that the majority of Sabahans are also against this irresponsible act that is bent on threatening the unity and harmony of Sabahans,” he said.
Jasni urged the relevant authorities to investigate the matter promptly and take all the necessary actions to curb this unwanted spread of the ‘fire of hatred’ among Sabahans.