By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 6: Dr James Chin, a professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, has called on Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to take a firm and immediate stand against the proposed new guidelines for Muslims attending non-Muslim events and celebrations, emphasising the need to protect Sarawak and Sabah’s identity.
Chin criticised the proposal, which would require event organisers to obtain approval from religious authorities for Muslim participation in non-Muslim events, funerals, and celebrations held in houses of worship.
He asserted that such regulations go too far for Sarawak and Sabah.
“I rarely call on Sabah and Sarawak political leaders to act immediately, but this proposal crosses the line for us in Borneo,” he said in a statement today.
He stressed that Sarawak and Sabah have long embraced multiracial harmony, where people of different faiths interact freely—an integral part of Borneo’s identity.
“Now is the time to defend our identity. This is not the moment for a ‘wait and see’ approach. If these rules are implemented, it will be too late,” he warned.
Chin urged political leaders in Sarawak and Sabah to reject the guidelines outright, stating they are unacceptable to the people of Borneo.
“It is time for GPS, GRS, and all Borneo MPs to take a stand. Sabahans and Sarawakians must speak in unison to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
“We choose you to protect our identity, beliefs, and values. One of our core principles is maintaining our multiracial harmony and preventing division. Please do your job,” he urged.
During yesterday’s (Feb 5) parliamentary sitting as reported by various national dailies, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar explained that the revised guidelines aim to prevent incidents that could be sensitive to Muslims.
He stated that updates to the existing rules would be finalised by the Muzakarah Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) by the end of the month.
According to a written response to Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh), the proposed guidelines prohibit activities such as speeches, singing, or pamphlet distribution that propagate other religions, as well as performances that insult or belittle Islamic beliefs.
Events must also not be held near mosques, suraus, Muslim cemeteries, or land donated for religious purposes (wakaf). Additionally, events should not coincide with Muslim prayer times, including Friday prayers. — DayakDaily
