Pakar backs call for state govt to reflect on religious freedom
KOTA KINABALU: The quest for fundamental human rights, and not political porridge defines the sentiments of the grassroots on the issue of freedom of religion.
Pakar president Datuk Henrynus Amin said the party regrets the open denial of public grievances on religious freedom by Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders.
He said that Reverend Datuk Jerry Dusing had made a very serious allegation against the National Registration Department (NRD) which merits an immediate investigation.
Pakar also supports Jerry’s call for the State Government to seriously reflect upon the prevailing conditions on the ground, especially grassroots sentiments on religious freedom.
He said Sabah BN leaders should listen and resolve rather than lecture and scold those who are speaking out to express religious grievances.
Further, he said, while people are generally thankful for the government’s generosity, government allocations to religious bodies should not justify the ‘thinly veiled threats’ against those who dare to speak up against wayward government departments when they consistently erred in carrying out their duties.
“This is a stark reminder to the people of Sabah of the past era when religious freedom was curtailed,” he said.
He said it is preposterous to think that the people of Sabah would trade their basic human rights to freedom of religion and freedom to profess a religion of their choice for BN political porridge.
Contrary to Sabah BN’s claim, he said BN’s attempt to belittle public concern on religious freedom is a far more serious threat to religious harmony than public display of anger and frustration. Their inaction over the years have not resolved problems related to grievances on religious freedom.
“Religious freedom is not merely about building places of worship or freedom to read religious literature. It is about freedom of conscience for individuals to follow the religion of his or her choice,” he said, adding that native Christians with Muslim identity cards is a real problem requiring urgent attention.
Henrynus said the eerie silence among BN component political parties, especially Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), on issues related to religious concern speaks volumes of their sheer ignorance of the political reality around them.
“Perhaps their comfortable position in government would not allow them to speak out publicly in support of grassroots sentiments.”
Pakar said it would be discussing the issue of religious freedom during its Supreme Council meeting to decide on the next course of action.
He said Pakar is a multiracial political party but religious freedom among others would be the party’s top agenda this coming general election.
“Pakar would be contacting other opposition political parties, especially Momogun-based political parties to forge a common stand on this very sensitive issue,” he said in a statement on Saturday.