Warisan-led govt will build places of worship for all religions — CM
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Haji Apdal the people of Sabah are best example of religious tolerance and unity.
He stressed the need to protect and further strengthen Sabah way of life of tolerance and mutual respect.
He said the people of Sabah to be cautious of certain groups, from both within and outside, who are trying to break this harmonious relationship that exists in the Sabah community so that it remains the pillar of society in the state.
“These people try to sow divide be it on religious grounds and racial or ethnic grounds. By breaking our bond, they hope to push their personal political agenda,” he cautioned.
“Tonight we see a large gathering of people, among whom are those not only from the various Christian groups, but also those who are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu or have other religious leanings. The Kota Kinabalu Christmas Celebration is one big celebration of people from all beliefs,” he said when launching the 14th Kota Kinabalu Christmas celebration held at the Padang Merdeka on Tuesday evening.
Shafie stressed that as the Chief Minister of all Sabahans, he is focused that all of the State plans for development for the people will not be based on race or religion but for the benefit of the people and the state.
“Being a Muslim will not stop me from entering a church to pay my last respects to a friend of the Christian faith, or to attend a wedding if I am invited. Visiting a temple or kuil would be the same.
“As such the Warisan-led government will build places of worship for all religions, as even the non-Muslims pay taxes. Once Sabah’s finances are back on a sound footing, I will extend financial support to the Pastors, and if that is against their religion, perhaps increase the annual allocation for the various religious groups,” he assured.
In his speech, Shafie also described Sabah as a unique state where her greatest strength is her diversity.
“With over 32 ethnic and sub-ethnic groups, we are able to bond together; living and working together as one family irrespective of our religious or ethnic backgrounds,” he said.
He explained that the unity comes very naturally to the people of Sabah because of inter-ethnic and racial marriages that bonded everyone together, despite the differences in religious beliefs.
“As a Bajau from Semporna, my extended family has links to Kadazandusuns, Muruts, Sungei, Chinese and many more ethnic groups of not only in Sabah but also Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. And my wife happens to come from Kedah,” he said.
“This inter-ethnic relationship through mixed marriages brings us all together. It brings about greater understanding, mutual respect for each other and above all integration among families. Most of us here today, have mixed racial and ethnic and multi religious families that makes the people of our beloved state of Sabah truly unique,” he added.
He then said that this was the reason why Malaysians in Sabah have a high racial and religious tolerance.
“We see a diversity as our reason to be together as one - whether we are Muslims, Christians or Buddhist we have no problems with one another if we believe and respect everyone’s right to their religious beliefs,” he said.
Shafie also encouraged the culture of visiting one another during festivities out of respect for each other.
“Sometimes, people cannot understand because they adopt religious extremism,” he said.
He reminded that people must understand that there are limitations as to what they can do and said that it was like “paying for one’s road tax”.
“Even though you have your road tax which allows you the right to use the road, you still have to stop when the traffic light turns red,” he explained.
He added that while studying overseas for seven years, he has learned various Christmas songs.
Shafie then started to croon “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, Just like the ones I used to know”.
He said that celebrating Christmas does not make him less a Muslim, and stressed the importance of respecting others despite their differences in beliefs.
At the event, Shafie also announced an allocation of RM200,000 to carry out the fourday celebration which will end on Dec 14.
Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Christina Liew and Datuk Jaujan Sambakong, Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai and Sabah Council of Churches president, the Right Reverend Datuk Melter Jiki Tais.