Ibrahim has no place in Sabah

0

KOTA KINABALU: Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali and his brand of bigotry has no place in Sabah, said United Pasok Momogum Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) secretary general Datuk Donald Mojuntin.

He said that Ibrahim and the likes of him are a threat to civil society.

“He likes to ‘cari hal’ where there is no problem. Upko agrees with and support in the statement made by the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Tan Sri TC Goh,” Mojuntin said in a statement yesterday.

The inter-relationship among Sabahans of various races, religions and cultures is a shining example of true acceptance and intergration, Mojuntin stressed.

“It is no surprise that irrespective of political affiliation or ideology, Sabahans are offended by the irresponsible remarks made by Ibrahim. This issue goes beyond politics. Peace and harmony in a civilised society is a fundamental necessity. All citizens must strive for it and must make it their duty to protect,” he added.

Mojuntin pointed out that the Chinese community is an intrinsic part of our beloved Sabah and has contributed significantly to the development of this State in all aspects.

The community’s call for the recognition of Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) must be seriously considered, he said, adding that it makes sense as renowned educational institutions all over the world recognise it.

“It is important for our country’s relevance in the world economic sphere, especially with the emergence of China as an economic powerhouse. We are sure that the BN government knows this and is presently looking towards a resolution to this matter.

“Upko also believes that laws regulating race relations have to be drawn up in order to control and curb emerging extremism in Malaysia. We must nip the problem in the bud before the situation becomes uncontrollable and before peace, harmony and the fragile fabric of our society are destroyed,” he said.

Speaking at the Perkasa special annual conference held in Tuaran over the weekend, Ibrahim told the minorities in Sabah to stop making ‘nonsensical’ demands and just be thankful they are recognised as Malaysians.

He said minorities in Sabah should not cross the line to the point of denying the rights of indigenous people in the state.

Ibrahim was referring to the Chinese community’s demand for the recognition of the UEC, adding that such demand is akin to stepping on the heads of the indigenous people.

Meanwhile, Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri  deputy presiden, Datuk Sylvester J Disimon yesterday joined the chorus of voices condemning the remarks attributed to Ibrahim.

Sylvester said in a statement yesterday that the state government should not hesitate to use state immigration power to stop racial and religious extremists from making divisive and inflammatory statements intended to stir up racial and religious sentiments.

He said racial bigots like Ibrahim should not be allowed to set foot in Sabah as his mere presence might fuel racial tensions which threatened the harmonious race relations in Sabah.

Parti Anak Negeri, said Sylvester, totally reject the export of extreme racial or religious politics from West Malaysia which is the hallmarks of Perkasa’s war cry.

“Sabahans have long accepted all Chinese born in Sabah as one of their own,” he said, adding that on July 8 Parti Anak Negeri read out the Tinangol Declaration to accept ethnic Chinese born in Sabah and Sarawak as an adopted Anak Negeri.

“Ibrahim may see ethnic Malaysian Chinese as mere passangers, but Parti Anak Negeri sees them as locals and Anak Negeri by virtue of being born in Sabah or Sarawak,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Sylvester urged the state government to be sensitive to local sentiments and disallow race and religious extremists from harming the cordial and harmonious communal relations in Sabah.