PENAMPANG: Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said the people should be given the option to decide whether to state their race in the official forms.
“I think people should be given the right to decide whether or not they prefer to state their race (in official forms). If they prefer not to, then it is up to them,” said Masidi.
“In the case of Sabah and Sarawak, I think it (stating race in official forms) is rarely the case of racism, as we are proud of race and we like it when people know what race we are.
The matter was first brought up by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun on Wednesday, although he apologised on Thursday saying that the matter was only discussed at the cabinet meeting.
“That is what makes Sabah what we are; we are proud of our race, yet we are not racists,” said Masidi, when met at the launching of the Kadazan Society of Sabah (KSS) website at Wisma Kinsabina here yesterday.
Masidi, who was also asked to comment on the recent seminar on the use of the word ‘Allah’ and Christology at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam on May 6, said higher learning institutions should not be used as platforms to organise programmes that may contain elements of racism and bigotry which could stir racial and religious sentiments among society.
He expressed disappointment over the matter, which he opined was a case of unsuitable selection of venue.
“I think higher learning institutions, be they public or private, should be the platform for us to strengthen ties among our multiracial Malaysia, and not be used as a place to conduct programmes or activities that could be detrimental to the unity of our society,” said Masidi.
Masidi, who is also chairman of UiTM Alumni Association Sabah, called for the government to look into the matter and ensured that thorough guidelines on the types of programmes allowed to be held at learning institutions, were outlined and complied with.
“Personally, I think the government should be heedful not to turn higher learning institutions into platforms for such programmes and hope that there will be no such issue in the future.
“As a former UiTM student myself, I’m sad that this has happened, because although there were religious-related programmes being held at our campus at that time, it was not anything like this. I hope the government will do what is necessary to ensure that campuses continue to serve as a platform for friendship and unity, and not otherwise,” he said.