Malaysia

What do race, religion have to do with helping people, MP fires back at critics

Bukit Mertajam’s Steven Sim upset by efforts to link charitable efforts to ulterior motives

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 19 Apr 2021 2:40PM

What do race, religion have to do with helping people, MP fires back at critics
Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim says as an elected representative, his only job is to help people in distress, regardless of race and religion, and sometimes, this is not limited to Bukit Mertajam alone. – Steven Sim Facebook pic, April 19, 2021

by Sofia Nasir

BUKIT MERTAJAM – Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim said he is sad and disappointed by the criticism he received from certain parties on his efforts to help the less fortunate in his constituency.

Sim said efforts by people to link his activities to issues of religion and race, simply because he is Chinese and a Christian, is upsetting.

“Why do they really want to divide Malaysians? Why inflame racial and religious sentiments?

“The people have suffered enough, suffered enough because of Covid-19. Many lost their jobs, salaries were cut, businesses closed. Politicians who already have power, why do they still want to burn the country with issues of race and religion?” he wrote on Facebook yesterday.

As an elected representative, he said his only job is to help people in distress, regardless of race and religion, and sometimes, this is not limited to Bukit Mertajam alone.

He said he is not great or rich, and considers helping the people as part of the trust and responsibilities he has to fulfil.

...I never ask the person being helped what race, what religion, what political party (they are).

“Some say I only help Chinese, others say I’m just helping Malays. It is sad why there is still this view.

“The people I help, there are Chinese, Malay, Indian, and even some friends in Sabah and Sarawak there. I can’t post all the aid activities here (Facebook), but I never ask the person being helped what race, what religion, what political party (they are).”

Sim also denied that he had a religious agenda in helping the people, but hoped that each individual can be the best believer in their respective religions for a better future for Malaysia.

“Although I am very dissatisfied with the slander and ridicule, I will not stop serving.

“I will still help everyone regardless of race and religion. This is my pledge when I was elected as the people’s representative.” – The Vibes, April 19, 2021

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