Can Adenan stop Umno’s influence in Sarawak?

 

Can the state Barisan Nasional under Chief Minister Adenan Satem ensure the safety of Sarawakians from the threat of Umno extremism?

This question was posed by Sarawak DAP Youth chief Wong King Wei at a media conference today when commenting on the inability of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri to do anything against Ibrahim Ali who threatened to burn the Malay language Bible.

“Chief Minister Adenan Satem has loudly declared that the state would not allow Umno to come to Sarawak to expand its politics of extremism,” Wong said.

What Adenan has said does nothing to improve the current situation in Sarawak in respect of religious freedom, Wong (right), who is the Padungan assemblyperson, added.

He said Nancy Shukri who is a senior PBB leader and a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, could not do anything against the Perkasa president for threatening to burn the Bible.

“A mere statement by Adenan cannot help to prevent Umno’s influence in Sarawak, even if Umno does not come to Sarawak. Look at the Islamisation efforts by Umno in Belaga and Betong.

“This is because Umno is the federal government in Malaysia. It makes policies that also affect Sarawak,” he said.

Anger rising against Umno

Wong then asked whether the chief minister could ensure that the Umno policies would not damage the  racial and religious harmony and freedom prevailing in the state.

The state DAP has made a strong stand against outsiders who come to Sarawak to convert Christians by offering money.

“I have also heard that in certain remote areas the natives were promised  identity cards if they  converted to Islam. They told the natives that without identity cards, they would not be able to send their children to schools and would not be able to seek medical treatment.

“This is something very serious and should not happen in Sarawak or in any part of the country as this is against the Federal Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom.

“The federal and state governments have to carry out immediate investigations to find out whether  these groups of people in Belaga and Betong have committed any act of sedition and whether they have violated the constitution which protects the basic and the ultimate rights of the people.

“If they did, then they should be charged with sedition,” Wong said.

Speaking at the same media conference, the MP for Stampin, Julian Tan (left), said if it is true that the group was offering RM6,000 to anyone converting to Islam, then such an act is the lowest of form of  disrespect and insulting to fellow human beings.

“Enticing poor people to embrace a religion through money is cruel, of low moral and unethical. Aid should be given with the pure intention of helping the poor, without any strings attached.

“It has been the practice of religions in Sarawak that aid is a given to those regardless of their religion or race,” Tan said.

He said what this group in Belaga did, if it was found to be true, was threatening the harmonious spirit of Sarawakians as well as disrespectful of the people’s culture.

“If left unchecked by the authorities, such activities may be difficult to control later on. It is best that action is taken now,” he said.