SUPP Youth: a worrisome trend

suppadmin | January 4, 2014

Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Central Youth and Women Section are shocked to learn that Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) officers had raided Bible Society of Malaysia’s (BSM) office in Damansara Kim two days ago without even producing a warrant. As a result to the raid, 16 boxes of materials containing Bibles in both Malay and Iban languages catering for Sabah and Sarawak were confiscated.

SUPP Central Youth and Women Section expressed their concern over mounting racial and religious tensions in the Pakatan ruling state for if the situation is not addressed correctly, it may eventually lead to wider spread of antagonistic sentiments among Malaysians of different ethnicity and religious backgrounds to other parts of the country.

Youth Central Chief, Tan Kai said Christians population is about 2.6million where almost two-third of them are Bumiputras from Sabah and Sarawak. Many Dayaks are studying in Peninsular Malaysia while many more working in the public and private sectors.

As such, while SUPP Central Youth and Women Section wish to express our concerns over the matter, we also want to remind all Malaysian, that freedom of religion for non-Muslims is clearly stated and protected under the Article 11 of Federal Constitution (Freedom of Religion).

Tan Kai said it was disheartening to hear that Selangor UMNO along with other NGOs had threatened to hold protests in front of churches in Selangor tomorrow. “We must state our ground by saying that such act is unacceptable and we strongly condemn any provocative behaviour that can potentially tarnish and harm the process of national integration. In fact, the Arabic word “Allah” which literally means “GOD” is commonly used by the Christian communities among the non-Malay Bumiputras in Sarawak and it has been so for as long as one can remember,” he added.

He praised Sarawak government for doing a great job in promoting unity among all Sarawakians, regardless of one’s racial, cultural and religious background. As Sarawakians, we have great sense of mutual understanding and respect toward each other’s cultures and beliefs. This is a tradition we are proud of and intend to uphold for as long as we can.

“We are urging all the people, NGOs and politically-linked entities to remain calm and refrain themselves from taking drastic actions or making repulsive statements at this tension-mounting moment. Meanwhile, SUPP Central Youth also demands the top leaders in the government to come up with long term and effective solutions that are sustainable, not only to preserve but to enhance national unity that is currently in a fragile state,” he added.