Baru: Sarawakians must be bold, take strong stand against extremism
KUCHING: Leaders in Sarawak must continue to take a firm stand against extremism despite the state’s prevailing peace and harmony.
In pointing this out yesterday, Works Minister Baru Bian said while leaders must be bold and courageous in making such a stand, Sarawakians themselves must be vigilant towards any form of extremism.
“We must be aware that bad people or extremists can be in any place any time. This caution, I think, is acceptable.
“Look at New Zealand. Who would have thought that it (terrorism) would happen, but it happened.
“So I think we just have to be cautious and vigilant,” he said during an interview with The Borneo Post, Utusan Borneo and See Hua Daily News, here yesterday.
He was prompted for comments on some churches in the country taking precautions following the recent spate of global suicide bombings targeting places of worship, especially churches.
Baru, who is Selangau MP and Ba Kelalan assemblyman, said even though there is no doubt Sarawak is a peaceful and peaceloving state, one cannot rule out any possibility of extremism existing amongst the people.
“I do not want to disregard the fact that it can happen in Sarawak. People can come in and people can be encouraged by what is
We must be aware that bad people or extremists can be in any place any time. This caution, I think, is acceptable. Baru Bian, Works Minister
happening elsewhere.So we want to be cautious.
“I think the bottom line is that our leaders, be they political, legislature or religious, must be bold and courageous to make a stand against extremism in the country,” he added.
The Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) Sarawak chairman said he was personally encouraged by certain activists, including Datin Marina Mahathir and non-governmental organisations ( NGOs) in the country, who had taken a strong stand against extremism.
“I think our Minister (in the Prime Minister’s Department) for Religion (Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa) is very strong. I know his views – very open.
“Of course his views have been criticised by some people, but these are the leaders who have stood up (against extremism). I told him ( Mujahid) that I’m encouraged by his stand.
“For us in Sarawak, we must continue to make a stand so that people will not be encouraged by this kind of thing (extremism),” he said.