By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 17: Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP), Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, clarified that his previous remark was not targeted against any specific government officials but rather the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who jumped the gun on the ‘Palestinian refugees’ issue.
He explained that in a previous press conference dated Nov 15, he reprimanded some NGOs to prioritise the humanitarian issue in Palestine at hand and not worry about the ‘non-existent’ issue of refugees’ entry to Malaysia. However, his remark was taken out of context.
“I’m not too sure where I went wrong. I did not object to anything. I just stated that we cannot jump the gun (on the refugee issue). We have certain laws in giving opinions, and my comment focused more on the NGOs.
“There are no talks about taking in refugees. We are still in the middle of sympathising with the Palestinians’ struggle, and this is not an issue of religion since there are also Christians and Jews residing in Gaza and the West Bank. Wherever there are those being oppressed, it is our moral duty to show concern. I expressed it from that angle.
“However, there are some who attempted to fish in troubled waters. You know who I meant — the NGOs, not any specific government officials or high-top brass people,” he said in a press conference held at Baitul Makmur II today.
Abdul Karim, who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president, further noted that specific individuals are planning to organise a press conference in Kapit to refute his previous comment on the same issue.
“The world is talking about the Palestine issue, but we are busy fighting each other following the act of irresponsible NGOs.
“Look back at these people; have they been doing anything good to us, or has there been anything positive coming out from their mouth for the last ten years, be it Peter John Jaban (Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspiration publicity and information chief), Voon Lee Shan (Parti Bumi Kenyalang president), or other NGO leaders?
“All they do resulted in fights between the Malays and Dayaks, between the Chinese and the Dayaks and Malays — that is what they want. Thus, we government officials must not follow suit,” he added.
At the same time, Abdul Karim said he would be the first to come up with a statement in the event that the federal government considers taking in refugees.
“I would tell the federal government not to consider us and ask them to do it in the West Malaysia first. I will be the first one to come up with the statement. So don’t look at it as if I am being supportive of refugees,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
