PENAMPANG: Disrespectful remarks against any religion should not be allowed in a peaceful country like Malaysia where people from highly diversified backgrounds co-exist in harmony by appreciating their differences.
Irresponsible action like openly criticising other people’s religion could threaten the social stability that everyone has worked so hard to nurture and preserve, especially when the criticism is inaccurate and based on ignorance.
This was the message conveyed by Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok to all Sabahans during a Chinese New Year celebration here Saturday evening.
He was commenting on a sensational remark made by a motivational speaker recently that Valentine’s Day is a Christian culture that promotes ‘maksiat’ (immoral activities).
The ustazah, who is also a Datuk, blurted during a talk show aired on national television that “immoral activities, partying and unmarried couples associating in private are traditions of Christian community”.
Her shortminded remark, as many put it, has sparked outcry from many non-Muslims and Muslims alike in the country who said she should offer a public appology and retract what she had said.
A short recording of the show where she made the remark has been circulated on social network Facebook and Youtube, where strings of angry comments posted have fast snowballed into a heated racial-religious debate among the Malaysian Internet users.
While the perception that celebrating Valentine’s Day is a religious practice of the Christian is completely inaccurate, Dompok said such generalization that all Christians celebrate the event by committing immoral activities is simply outragious.
“It is sad that people could make such insensitive remark when we in Malaysia are proud of our virtue of respecting others. We don’t make disrespectful remark against other religions, regardless what faith we have.
“I hope such unhealthy development will not spread to Sabah as it could undermind the peace and harmony between ethnics. I myself did not know what it was all about, not until my children were all grown up and explained to me the concept of Valentine’s Day,” he said when speaking at the Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI) Ang Pau Festival at Buhavan Square.
Dompok who is also Penampang member of parliament, said strong interfaith and racial integrity had always been Sabah’s well-guarded treasure, the backbone of its social and economic development.
Like anywhere in the country, ethnic and religious festivals such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Christmas, are always celebrated in togetherness by everyone regardless of their background.
The community in Sabah, he added, do not only celebrate each other’s festival but they also do not find it an issue to let their chidren marry someone from other race or even religion.
“Here in Penampang, everyone gets excited everytime the Chinese New Year comes. Even the non-Chinese are eager to welcome the occasion and get busy preparing for Chinese New Year, sometimes even more than the Chinese themselves.
“This show how well we tolerate and appreciate each other’s culture and this has allowed us to live together in peace and harmony. This is who we are,” he said.
At the event, Dompok together with other local Kadazandusun Murut leaders, joined their counterparts from the Tionghua community to perform the Chinese “Lau Sang” tradition.
Wishing everyone a happy New Rabbit Year, he urged all parties to further strengthen unity and cooperation towards developing the State.
Menwhile, PCCCI members have been called to organize more welfare activities this year, in line with the organization’s aspiration to promote wealth and wellbeing for everyone.
Fesival organizing chairman Ang Kang Loug, in making the call, said the organization itself was planning to organize more social welfare projects in the future and hope its members will work closer together with the other organizations and government agencies for the welfare of the people.
The association shared the joy of Chinese New Year with single parents, the underprivileged and handicaped children who were invited to attend the Ang Pau festival.