Let all religious teaching posts in State be filled by Sarawakians — Jemoreng assemblyman
THE responsibility of teaching religious studies in Sarawak should fall upon the shoulders of the teachers who are from Sarawak themselves, as a way to prevent the people here from being exposed to or influenced by misinterpretations created by irresponsible quarters, especially those from outside of the state.
Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya ( BNJemoreng), during the sitting yesterday, remarked that as a Muslim, he was concerned about this situation.
Debating on the state budget in the august House, he said he would like to know if the government had a timeframe in making sure that all posting of religious teachers in the state would be filled by locals.
He pointed out that during the recent question- answer session, of the 365 accredited religious teachers in Sarawak, only 146 were Sarawakians.
In his opinion, there are many accredited religious teachers who are Sarawakians and as such, it is possible for all religious teacher posts in the state to be filled by Sarawakians as well.
“We do not want bad elements from outside to come into Sarawak so easily. Sarawak is capable of producing its own (religious) teachers,” he said.
Juanda also talked about a recent case where a religious teacher from Singapore, who is not accredited to teach religious studies in his country of origin was allowed to teach religious studies in Sarawak.
There was also a recent case where a religious teacher from outside Sarawak – also not accredited – conducting a preaching session at Masjid Semerah Padi.
Moreover, Juanda commented that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s inclusive approach in organising all religious matters in the state should be praised.
“Thus, I hope that the process of reviewing the laws under the Islamic Religious Council and Syariah Court in Sarawak would be accelerated,” he added.