‘Don’t spread your religious fanaticism’, NGO tells PAS
KOTA KINABALU: A local nongovernmental organisation has described as “very disturbing and highly regrettable” the action of a group of people apparently led by Mohamad Husain from PAS Tawau who created an issue out of the recent Christmas and New Year celebration in Tawau.
Bangkit Anak Negara Sabah (Bansa) chairman John Charles Mitah Mikat said the incident was unprecedented in Sabah, a sign that racism and religious extremist ideologies are creeping into the land of Sabah and Sarawak from Peninsular Malaysia.
“I would like to stress here that this is a very serious case of which the majority of Sabah citizens are angered, threatened and hurt by the intolerance, racism, religious extremism exhibited by PAS leaders,” he said.
John said leaders of parties from the peninsula, especially PAS, who don’t respect and understand the customs and culture of the people in Sabah should stay away from the state.
“Don’t spread your religious fanaticism but learn how Christian and Muslim siblings in a family can sit together, live under the same roof and eat at the same table,” he said.
“I have a large family and my siblings, some of whom are Muslims, Christians and even Buddhists, celebrate Christmas, Hari Raya, Harvest Festival, Gawai Festival and Chinese New Year together.
“In spite of our religious differences, we don’t see it as a problem. Instead we practise openness, respect for each other and adopt noble values in our family life,” he stressed.
“Unity and tolerance are our Borneons’ mainstay.
“The Keningau Oath Stone serves as a monument and reminder from the people of Sabah to the federal government of our guarantees before the formation of Malaysia and in this particular case, religious freedom in Sabah.
“Though PAS has apologised, they should also prove their sincerity to the people of Sabah by returning to where they come from. In Sabah, PAS is a pest and destroyer of unity, and racial and religious harmony in Sabah,” he said.
John said Bansa supported the stand taken by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal that PPBM should not enter Sabah because PPBM is a party from the peninsula.
This is also a promise made by PPBM chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in December that it will not spread its wings to Sabah.
On another matter, John said the government, which has enforced a nationwide ban on smoking at all eateries, should also take action against five-foot-way contraband cigarette pedlars who can be seen openly carrying out their illegal activities almost everywhere in Sabah.