IT WAS reported last Sunday that Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg had said that as the head of the state government who is a Muslim, he has always insisted (since taking the helm of government) that the “Charter of Medina” is a very suitable guide to guarantee fair administration for the multi-ethnic and multireligious communities in Sarawak.
He went on to enumerate the grants to non-Muslim places of worship and “missionary” schools.
The GPS government is wrong when talking about the Medina charter and saying that non-Muslims in Sarawak should be given protection by Muslims.
When the Medina Charter was written, it must be understood that there was no democracy and free elections. Today, Sarawak is a secular democratic country.
In a democratic setting like ours, anyone can rule the state, be they Muslims, Christians, Buddhists etc provided that they attain a majority from the election process.
Now, if one day, for example, a non-Muslim majority party manages to wrest control of the state government through its majority win in the democratic electorall process, do non-Muslims still need protection from Muslims?
And secondly, what kind of protection do non-Muslims need to be given and from what kind of threat would that be?
The premier must be thinking that Sarawak is being ruled in the style of Afghanistan’s Taliban, and with that in mind, is that the reason why he says that non-Muslims need protection from the state government?
Sarawak can progress through a well-managed economy, lowering the poverty level, improving standards of living, giving opportunities for all to grow through meritocracy and implementing inclusive policies to benefit all.
In a state like Sarawak where democracy is the basis upon which our government was formed, that line of talk is not relevant and at best confusing to the general public.
May the state government be reminded that it is the duty of the government to protect its citizens from whatever kind of threat that endangers a particular race or religion.
Such responsibility is enshrined in our constitution where the government of the day is obliged to protect every citizen regardless of creed or colour.
If the government seeks to only prioritise a certain religion while neglecting others, our country may well descend into anarchy and lawlessness.
We are of the opinion that this statement is made in a condescending manner as it shows no respect to the multiracial and multireligious make-up of Sarawak.
The government may have its agenda to promote certain good values, which are also embedded in other religions.
It is in fact the good universal values that we can promote in our case. The overwhelming support that the government receives from Sarawakians should be used to hasten our economic progress, improve our infrastructure, improve the rural economy etc, and definitely not in trying to introduce the Medina Charter that could only divide the unity of the people. And we Dayaks do not subscribe to the Medina Charter being used in Sarawak.
It is not fair to us. PBDS continues to focus on a secular Sarawak and to see it grow into an economic powerhouse in Malaysia. – The Vibes, August 10, 2022
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Baru is an opposition state party in Sarawak
