By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, March 28: In Sarawak, anyone is free to choose chopsticks to eat if he or she prefers using them.
On another note, people may also use a spoon to eat if they prefer it.
In stating this, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg explained that there is tolerance among the people of Sarawak, and such ‘assimilation’ or the existence of different cultures will not be a problem within the community.
He was taking a jab at a past controversy that occurred in Peninsular Malaysia last year when former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad allegedly remarked that the Chinese community had failed to assimilate itself in Malaysia, citing the use of chopsticks instead of “adopting the Malaysian way of eating” with one’s hands.
“Why (did the) use of chopsticks become (an) issue? I don’t understand this.
“If using chopsticks to eat (is an issue), what about those using spoons? It is the same thing.
“For Sarawakians, (this is) not a problem. If we use chopsticks, (then) we choose chopsticks,” he said, adding that the use of the Chinese eating utensil is absolutely fine as long as diners do not take food that are forbidden in their respective religion.
He said this when speaking at a business delegation dinner organised by Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) and the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (NCCIM) held at Pullman Hotel in Kuching earlier tonight.
He also mentioned another past controversy in Peninsular Malaysia on Timah whiskey, believing that such matter should not necessarily become an issue.
He further stressed that controversies like these would not be present in Sarawak, which further encouraged the State government not to want Malayan-based parties to come into the State.
“We told United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) ‘don’t come’ because when they talk about religion, (it will not be appropriate because) our party also has non-Muslims.
“We told Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) ‘don’t come’ because we want Sarawak to be managed by Sarawakians.
“It’s a question of sensitivity. You know our (Sarawak) natives have their own style,” he emphasised. ― DayakDaily
