KUCHING – Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg today said that the state government has no intention of using “Darul Hana” when describing Sarawak, or changing the state’s name to Sarawak Darul Hana.
“There was no attempt (by the state government) to use the descriptor ‘Darul Hana’.
“PAS purposely created the issue because they have nothing else to use against the state government,” said Abang Johari when asked to comment on the issue, which has been played up by PAS and triggered objection among non-Malays in the state as well as several local non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“What we have now is only Jambatan Darul Hana and Kampung Darul Hana,” he said after officiating the Padawan municipal council’s 24th anniversary and the launch of The Last Ring Ladies mural at Kota Padawan here today.
Abang Johari said it is not easy to change the state’s descriptor to “Darul Hana” as it has to go through the state legislative assembly for approval.
Meanwhile, five local NGOs voiced their objection to the proposed use of “Darul Hana” when describing Sarawak, claiming it is an attempt to change Sarawak’s identity from a secular state to a religion-based one.
In a joint statement, the Dayak Think Tank Association, Dayak National Congress, Sarawak Iban Association, Persatuan Balang Balai Nyabong and Sarawak Dayak Iban Association called for PAS and other groups to immediately cease using the term “Sarawak Darul Hana” as it could disrupt racial and religious harmony in the state. – Bernama, December 14, 2020
