Blessed assurance

6

Adenan promises Christians in the state freedom to practise their faith, use the word ‘Allah’ as long as he is the CM

Adenan (fourth left), Manyin (third left), Sagah (second left) and other dignitaries pose with the recipients. — Photo by Chimon Upon

Adenan (fourth left), Manyin (third left), Sagah (second left) and other dignitaries pose with the recipients. — Photo by Chimon Upon

SERIAN: Christians of all denominations in the state have been assured by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, that they can practise their religion without any hindrance as long as he leads the state government.

He also declared that like over the years, the state government had no objection to the use of the word ‘Allah’ by Christians in the state in their Bible and it would remain so.

“I want to give this assurance here today that for as long as I am still your Chief Minister, all Christians, irrespective of which denominations they belong to, Catholic, Anglican, SIB (Sidang Injil Borneo) and others, you need not have to worry.

“You all can exercise your beliefs freely and without worries. I am a Malay Muslim but I am the Chief Minister for all regardless of race, religion and background and I cannot tell people how they should pray to their God,” he said.

He gave these assurances when speaking at the presentation of land titles to native customary rights (NCR) land owners at the Dewan Suarah here yesterday.

“We are not going to allow what happens in Peninsular Malaysia to spread over here. This is Sarawak, not Peninsular Malaysia,” he stated.

He said no one should ever try to destroy the peace and harmony prevailing in the state despite its diverse people belonging to about 40 ethnic groups with different religions and beliefs.

“We respect one another. My religion is mine and yours is yours. We have no problem with that,” he said.

According to him, he would try his best to be fair to everyone and it was for that very reason that he elevated this district into a division months ago.

“Serian was declared as division for the interest of the Bidayuh community. Other races have their own divisions, for instance Samarahan for the Malay community, Kapit for the Ibans, Miri and Limbang for the Orang Ulu.

“Therefore, in appreciation of the contributions of the Bidayuh community towards the development of the state and country we feel that they too should be given a division,” he said.

Because it was just recently elevated, a lot needed to be done for Serian in terms of its infrastructure development.

“I take note about that and in the next budget I will make sure that more allocations are given to Serian,” he said.

On the new NCR land initiative, Adenan said that it will be continued until all NCR land in the state had been issued with titles.

“We are not going to stop the exercise unless the people themselves say they don’t want their land to be surveyed and issued with titles,” he pointed out.

A total of 399 land owners from five villages namely Kampung Lancang Sabai, Kampung Lancang Sijo, Kampung Labak Tungan, Kampung Riih Daso and Kampung Riih Mawang received their land titles yesterday.

Among those present at the occasion yesterday were Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawaong, State Legislative Assembly
Deputy Speaker Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben, Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan and Land and Survey officers.