‘Racial hatred’ making
East Malaysians regret
joining Malaysia, claims
Tangau
Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau says proposed guidelines on the involvement of Muslims at non-Muslim events only serve to divide Malaysia’s multicultural society.
The former Upko president said even though the Cabinet had rejected a proposal for guidelines on the involvement of Muslims at non-Muslim events, certain parties were still pushing for them.
“Such voices sow the seeds of division and deliberately prolong confusion in Malaysia’s multicultural society,” said Tangau in a statement.
“In fact, it is voices like these, filled with religious hatred, that have made the people of Sabah and Sarawak regret the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.
“Many have said the Malaysia of today is not the Malaysia we agreed to form under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.”
Sabah, then known as British North Borneo, was granted self-government on Aug 31, 1963, which the state regards as its day of independence. Sabah joined the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak and Singapore, to form Malaysia on Sept 16 of the same year.
In his statement, Tangau said the proposed guidelines should have been presented and approved by the Cabinet before being announced, adding that the failure to do so contradicted the principles of good governance.
The proposed guidelines drew a backlash from civil society, non-Muslim religious leaders and politicians, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stating that the guidelines were unnecessary and would cause anxiety.
The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, had also expressed his disapproval of the proposal, saying the Quran and Sunnah already provided the best guidelines for Muslims.
Yesterday, Sabah activist and political commentator Johan Ariffin Samad said there was growing discontent in Sabah and Sarawak about the federal government’s involvement in religious affairs, saying Sabahans and Sarawakians had a “firm stance” on religious freedom.
Johan said many East Malaysians perceive the government’s involvement in religious matters as an overreach, adding that religion was being weaponised for political gain – which diverged from the inclusive values taught in schools.
“Celebrating each other’s festivals, like Ramadan and Christmas, fosters unity.
“Nobody wants a Taliban-like government. Modern Muslims like us feel stifled, treated like children despite being capable adults,” he said on an episode of TheGoodCastShow podcast.
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