Move deemed necessary to keep unhealthy peninsula-style politics at bay
KUCHING: A white paper detailing the activities and actions undertaken by various people, organisa-tions and media from outside Sarawak as well as the appropriate actions to be taken against them should they endanger the racial stability and security of the state will be prepared and published by the state government.
This followed the passing of a motion moved by Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya) at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday.
Pantai Damai assembly-man Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, who is among those in favour of the motion, said this white paper was very necessary as a warning to those from outside the state who have perverse ambition or ill intention to cause havoc here.
He was specifically referring to the actions of the opposition parties in their political approach.
“The most obvious example is their campaign tactics during the Sibu by-election last May. Their debates were aimed at arousing the people’s dissatisfaction with the government.
“The DAP, PKR and PAS leaders from Peninsular Malaysia came with words that belittled the development in the state.
“DAP’s approach is very much focused on straining the ties of our multiracial society by trying to differentiate this race and that race and saying that certain races get more assistance from the government while some are forgotten.
“They also fanned anti-religious sentiments. This is totally unacceptable as we have enjoyed a high tolerance for the different races and religions in the state from the very beginning,” he said.
Rosey Yunus (BN-Bekenu) pointed out that similar political approach was adopted by the opposition parties during their leaders’ recent trip to Miri.
“Their slanderous voices amplified by the public address system rang throughout the city. From their point of view, all efforts by the government are wrong while the few of them are correct.
“All these attacks on the government show their ill intention. Therefore, it is time we protect the harmony that we have enjoyed all this while and protect our people from the false allegations and propaganda spread by the opposition,” she said in favour of the motion.
Joseph Mauh Ikeh (BN-Tamin) also agreed to the motion.
“With more than 26 ethnic groups having various religions and cultures, the state must have a guideline that prevents people with ill intention from poisoning the minds of the people. We do not need the introduction of narrow-minded ideas and beliefs from outside,” he said.