KUCHING, March 18: The bipartisan petition on “Allah” case have not reached the hands of most Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Women chief Kho Teck Wan said she had verified with some political leaders from GPS following the reveal of the document and they confirmed that they were never aware of such petition.
“Based on the petition, it appeared that it was initiated by PH-UPKO (Pakatan Harapan- Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu) Member of Parliament (MP) YB Wilfred Madius of Sabah.
“However, after going through the list of Sarawak state assemblyman who signed the petition, I realised the petition had conveniently left out most of the GPS political leaders.
“Further verification with some GPS leaders confirmed that the bipartisan petition never reached their hands and they were not aware of such petition,” she said.
Despite feeling proud at first glance of the petition from both political divides, she stressed that it was an uncomfortable feeling when Democratic Action Party (DAP) released a statement later claiming that GPS and SUPP leaders had denied to show their support in the bipartisan call when most of them were not aware of the petition.
Viewing that GPS leaders were purposely left out of the petition, Kho questioned the true intent of the collective appeal.
“It is then apparent to me that the bipartisan petition wasn’t for the fight of freedom to use the word ‘Allah’ but to discredit GPS leaders.
“By purposely dropping the GPS leaders from the petition, DAP’s selfish intention to disturb the racial and religious harmony in Sarawak for its political agenda is apparent and disgusting,” she said in a statement today.
With that, she urged DAP politicians not to play with race and religion as racial and religious harmony are precious and unique to Sarawak that it is the responsibility of all Sarawakians to protect the unity.
On March 16, a collective bipartisan appeal signed by 22 MPs and four senators from Sarawak and Sabah was made known to the public, urging Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the federal government and the people of Malaysia to uphold Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision allowing non-Muslims to use the word “Allah” and not to appeal against the verdict.
Among the undersigned, there are 12 MPs and two senators from Sarawak.
The MPs include Serian MP Dato’ Sri Richard Riot Jaem, Baram MP Anyi Ngau, Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin, Julau MP Larry Sng, Selangau MP Baru Bian and Sri Aman MP Datuk Masir Kujat.
The rest of the six MPs are from Democratic Action Party and they are Mordi Bimol (Mas Gading), Dr Kelvin Yii (Bandar Kuching), Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin), Wong Ling Biu (Sarikei), Alice Lau Kiong Yieng (Lanang) and Oscar Ling Chai Yew (Sibu), from the Senate, Robert Lau from SUPP and Alan Ling Sie Kwong from DAP also signed the statement to stress a clear stance in the issue.
Kuala Lumpur High Court had on Mar 10 decided that non-Muslim community may use the word “Allah” in their preaching and publications.
The High Court also decided that the community can use the words “Baitullah”, “Kaabah” and “solat” for teaching purposes which the Malaysian government has banned for 35 years.
Christians in Sarawak and Sabah received the decision in jubilation only to find out that their joy was short-lived when the federal government filed its appeal against the High Court’s decision on March 15. — DayakDaily
