Abg Jo: Religions do not create walls
That’s the way it has been for us in Sarawak for the last hundred years and that’s the way it should be in the future.
KUCHING: Religions do not create walls between Sarawakians who are able to stay together, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“That’s the way it has been for us in Sarawak for the last hundred years and that’s the way it should be in the future,” he said in his Christmas and New Year message yesterday.
Abang Johari observed that Sarawakians’ commitment to foster religious unity and understanding “is not merely in words but also in deeds” and said Christmas is a time of great rejoicing and celebrations for Christians.
He also noted that there had been Christmas parades in various towns and cities in Sarawak over the past few weeks.
“Christians were on their rounds of Christmas carolling all over singing songs of great joy and hope according to the Christian faith.
“Of course, it has much deeper meaning to our Christian friends than just mere celebration and merry-making,” he said.
Abang Johari pointed out that the beauty of it for Sarawakians “is that people of other religions also shared in the joy and festivities as this has been our practice all the while”.
He said Sarawakians are like brothers and sisters who have much respect for one another’s culture and religion.
“In some parts of Sarawak, there are Christian and Muslim families that stay together under the same roof without much issue.
“There are also Muslim and Christian places of worship that happen to be neighbours and are sharing car parks on Friday and Sunday, true to the spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie among us Sarawakians,” he added.
The Sarawak government, through the Unit for Other Religions ( Unifor), had assisted non-Muslims to build and carry out repairs to their houses of worship, he pointed out.
This year, he said the Sarawak government had allocated RM20 million to Unifor.
“I believe many have benefited from this initiative which you may not find in other states.
“Next year, the approved allocation is RM30 million and let me give the reassurance that the state government will continue to provide the funds so that many more can benefit from it in the future,” he said.
Abang Johari hoped that Christians will continue to pray that the people of Sarawak will have the strength and courage to be people who are free to decide their own destiny, and not to be too dependent on the assistance of others.
“Being a part of Malaysia does not mean we cannot chart our future according to the hopes and aspiration of all Sarawakians.
“There are countries, like Canada, where there are autonomous areas which are able to prosper within the context of a larger nation,” he added.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister