BA’KELALAN assemblyman Baru Bian today urged all political and religious leaders to speak up and “extinguish the fires of hatred, violence and war”.
He said they should also draw upon the sources for peace present in human and religious traditions.
Baru said the leaders must speak up now before it is too late, as he joined Sarawak folk in expressing shock and sadness over Sunday's molotov cocktail attack on a KK Mart in Kuching.
The Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PBS) secretary-general said the attack showed that Sarawak people can no longer “assume anymore that we are free from the racial and religious bigotry that has afflicted Semenanjung Malaysia in such an unimaginable and horrific manner over the past decades”.
He said factions on the fringe might have become inclined towards terror and destruction in Sarawak.
“The most disappointing thing is that whenever we read about these incidents in Semenanjung Malaysia, the people of Sarawak have always felt a certain pride and gladness that this would never happen in Sarawak where the people have co-existed harmoniously for centuries.
“We thought that we were insulated from the intolerance and extremism displayed in such ugly fashion by the political opportunists and religious fanatics in Semenanjung Malaysia.
“It appears that we were wrong," Baru said.
To curb the influence of these extremists, Baru said it was crucial political and religious leaders speak up to put a stop to thw dangerous trend.
“This is crucial for the sake of the country and our future generations. If we keep quiet, the extremists will become emboldened and even more brazen to instil fear among the rakyat, and they will eventually control the narrative of the country,” he said.
Baru said Malaysia could emulate its neighbour Indonesia, where people of differing faiths took part in the Palm Sunday procession.
“I am sure that many wonder why we do not have the same openness and acceptance in Malaysia. Why can’t our people of different faiths blend together to celebrate our holy days?
“The answer is very simple: It is down to the leadership,” he said.
'Lead by example'
Baru said the former Indonesian president Jokowi Widodo and other leaders were not afraid to take part in the celebration of other religions.
“President Jokowi was known to have attended Christian celebrations in churches, showing real support for Christians instead of merely giving lip service.
“He knew how to lead by example, by truly living by their Pancasila. We have our own Rukun Negara. Unfortunately, how many political and religious leaders dare to live by our national principles?”
That failure, he said, had made the people become lax in observing these tenets, particularly the last three - supremacy of the constitution, rule of law, and mutual respect and good social behaviour.
“Many of the extremists in this country have thrown these principles down the drain, by their words and actions.”
Baru said he chose to remain optimistic.
He said he was also encouraged by the actions of the Roman Catholic archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kuching Simon Poh and other religious leaders who he pointed out had consistently demonstrated acceptance and mutual respect of other faiths and practices.
He was referring to Poh and leaders of other faiths breaking fast with Muslims on Good Friday, when Christians were also fasting.
“I believe that regardless of our religion, all citizens must contribute to the common good of society and nation building,” Baru said.
The firebomb attack, he said, had quelled the goodwill among the people following the Good Friday break fast event.
“It was overshadowed by this act of hatred and bullying."
Satok assemblyman Ibrahim Baki had condemned the attack “in the strongest terms”, calling it a terrorist act.
Ibrahim said domestic attacks on premises using incendiary devices in Sarawak were previously unheard of.
Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said it was an act of violence which must not be tolerated. – April 2, 2024.
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