PBB leader says religious freedom guaranteed in S’wak
He said unlike in Peninsular Malaysia, the different races that make up the state’s unique composition understood and respected each other’s religious choices. This concept also applied to religious authorities who did not interfere or dictate what one’s personal beliefs should be.
“Among the Melanau and the Bidayuh, for example, some of their family members are Muslim while some are Christian. We makan sama (eat together) and if you don’t like my food, then you don’t take lah. We are very open with one another.
“There are also a lot of intermarriages here and the way we see it is if you love a person (of a different religion), then that is your business. We are not particular about all this.
“Racial problems are non-existent here and that’s the way Sarawak people like it,” he told FMT.
On Wednesday, a survey conducted by independent research outfit Merdeka Centre revealed that the majority of Sarawak voters polled had expressed satisfaction over the state’s protection of religious freedom.
According to the findings, the sentiment was shared by all races there, including the Muslim Bumiputeras (91%), the non-Muslim Bumiputeras (84%) and the Chinese (90%).
Other states in Malaysia could obtain similar results if the same tolerance and understanding was instilled amongst the societies there, said Minos.
“Don’t harp on issues of race and religion. It is not easy to do, but it can be done. Let’s start by talking more on economic issues or issues that are affecting every Malaysian, regardless of race.
“Like in games or sports where we can see the support Malaysians give Lee Chong Wei. It is not because he is Chinese, but because he’s Malaysian. Same goes for Nicole Ann David.
“If we go more on this common value, I think we should be okay.”
Remarking how the Malays were the majority race in the peninsula, Minos said that while in most democracies, the majority often had the most control, it should not be overdone.
“Control with wisdom, with manners and with fairness. Be considerate. Like in Sarawak where although PBB is the dominant party, our Chief Minister Adenan Satem also helps the Chinese.
“He helps everyone based on merit and if the top leaders have this attitude, the other leaders will follow suit. We have to play fair with every race, with all Malaysians.
“We should think as Malaysians first, after that you can think about your race. But why do we have to fight over religion? If we want to fight, we fight over cari makan. But don’t fight over race or religion.”
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