Masing reminds federal leaders to stop politicising religion

KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing has advised federal leaders to stop politicising religion to stop Sarawakians from rejecting Barisan Nasional (BN) in the upcoming 14th General Election (GE14).

“Their politicising of religion has become trouble for us here. So, I hope that the sooner we try to stop the politicising of religion from coming here, the better it is for us because religion has never been a problem to us here in Sarawak regardless of who you are and the religion you believe in. We have been able to live in peace - either you are Muslim, Christian, Hindu or nothing.

“So it will be better for us to get the 31 seats here if we can stop the encroachment of politicisation of religion to Sarawak. That is very important to us,” Masing told The Borneo Post at his office in Bangunan Baitul Makmur here yesterday.

Secondly, Masing pointed out that the issue over the cost of living must also be addressed so that it would not continue to burden the rakyat.

“The cost of living will affect us, as we are living in one nation. And because of that, what happens there will affect us here,” he emphasised.

On the political front, Masing, who is PRS president, reiterated his stand to fully back Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the upcoming GE14.

“We will fully support him (Najib) because there is no better alternative for us. We can’t have Tun Dr Mahathir to lead us because he’s already old and when he was there for 22 years, he did not help us as much as Najib does,” he said.

Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, believed that Najib was innocent of the issues surrounding his reputation, especially the 1MDB, as he believed that any wrongdoings of which he had been accused of was not his doing.

“You cannot be penalised for the crimes of those around you. To me, he’s innocent. That’s why he has been able to withstand all these years,” said Masing.

On a related issue, Masing stressed that Sarawak has to deliver as many seats as possible and added that only with a united Sarawak that the State can get back its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“We do not ask for more nor would we want less of what was given to us under MA63,” he stressed.

He believes Najib will fulfil his promise if he wins the GE14 and continue to lead the country.

“So we will stick with Najib and I am sure we can deliver what we have promised. But the question is: will Semenanjung deliver?” he asked.

“To me, we still put our hope on Najib as he is the best Prime Minister that we ever have because he listens to us and he walks the talk,” he said.

However, Masing put it straight that even if the Federal Government under Najib falls, Sarawak will prefer to be in the opposition just like Penang, Selangor and Kelantan.

Meanwhile, Masing predicted that Parliament will be dissolved in early April and polling will be held before the fasting month of Ramadan, which falls on May 17.

“So by mid-May, we will know the government of Malaysia, opposition or BN. But my gut feeling is that BN will still be in power and Najib will still be the prime minister,” added Masing.