By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 7: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia’s (JAKIM) proposed guidelines in relation to Muslims attending non-Muslim events lean more towards segregating humanity, which Sarawak shall not abide by, says Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
Commenting on the issue, Snowdan, who is also the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, said participating in cultural celebrations and activities among the different races and religions is a norm in the daily lives of Sarawakians.
“Even if the guidelines are finalised, it will not deter us from our togetherness (and elements of) sharing, caring, and integration.
“Its guidelines are leaning more towards segregating humanity. The probable consequences later would be humanity would be distanced,” he said in a statement today.
He added that one of the points stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is that Sarawak would have religious freedom with no official religion and that the reasons for that were prior contention and understanding that Sarawak’s population is made of diverse races, beliefs, cultures, customs, practices, and religions.
“Sarawak’s diverse societal structure is well known for its religious tolerance, understanding, and inclusivity, which have prompted a well-knitted harmony amongst its people. This should be kept that way,” he said. — DayakDaily
