Datuk Sebastian: living together in harmony irrespective of race, religion

suppadmin | October 13, 2017

SUPP Secretary General and Piasau State Assemblyman, Datuk Sebastian Ting said In a multi-racial and multi-religious country, Malaysians must never lose our uniqueness of living together in peace and harmony irrespective of race or religion. Without it, our country will suffer constant bickering over minor issues and this will or may result unnecessary bad press towards our country to the international communities. It will also affect our country’s politics, social and economy well-being.

There had been some alarming incidents such as the recent cancelling of Oktoberfest festival, the ‘Muslim-only laundry’ issue, the Halal trolley at supermarket issue and even the school students were not spared whereby non-Muslims students were asked to have their meals in school’s shower area, next door to the toilets during the month of Ramadan.

This is also with pride that recently, our State government announced that Oktoberfest will be on in Sarawak. This is the beauty of Sarawak.

We are of the view that all these issues are really unnecessary. Two days ago the media statement by the Malay Rulers for taking serious stance on the issues of unity, peace and harmony among the people was extremely comforting for most, if not all like minded moderate Malaysians. We are indeed very grateful and feel blessed that our Rulers had issued this statement expressing their thoughts and strong stance on this very important matter of Unity, Peace and Harmony for us Malaysians as a whole.

The Conference of Rulers has urged all citizens to adhere to the core principles embedded in the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara which was drafted based on the understanding that Malaysia is a country of diverse religions and ethnic backgrounds which all must be respected.

The Malay Rulers had also rebuked the recent development of certain individuals which showed lack of understanding, mutual respect and tolerance to other races and putting a risk of disrupting the harmony existed within our multi-racial society.

The Malay Rulers highlighted the severe implications of such actions when certain individuals mistakenly associated with or committed the act in the name of Islam whereas Islam encourages its followers to be respectful, moderate and inclusive society. The Malay Rulers warned that the reputation of Islam must never be tainted by the divisive action of certain groups or individuals which may lead to rift among the people.

‘We are also very grateful and blessed that we have His Majesty the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar to set things right on the issue of ‘Muslim only laundry’ which occurred in Muar, Johor. His Majesty stated that the State of Johor belongs to Bangsa Johor and it belongs to all races and faiths and ‘not a Taliban state’. There was a similar incident in Perlis and His Royal Highness the Raja Muda of Perlis took the same stance as the Johor Sultan. We are blessed to have the Malay Rulers yesterday backing the stance shown by Johor Sultan and Perlis Raja Muda.

All Malaysians need to heed the call of the Malay Rulers to continue promoting moderation, understanding and tolerance in the country. While in Sarawak, we are fortunate that we already have strong understanding, mutual respect and harmony among all races. Nevertheless we must protect what we have here and must never take it for granted,’ he added.

By working together, achieving together and celebrating together of each other festivals will help us to nurture and maintain such closeness in a diverse society. It is every Sarawakians dream to see our people living in peace, harmony and prosper together.