KUCHING: Sarawakians are urged to pay heed to the Sultan of Perak’s call to reject extreme racial and religious speech or actions.
Political analyst Datuk Peter Minos echoed the Sultan’s call to take serious action against any Malaysians who expressed extreme racial and religious views which can incite ill-feeling, hatred and conflict in the society.
He further stated that Malaya has both silent and open ill-feeling of misunderstanding among the races, and that Sarawak is aware of it although overall as a country, these issues are prevalent in Malaysia.
“On the surface, things appear alright but it is not so in reality,” he said.
Minos added this ubiquitous influence is worse during election periods where politicians play the racial card to win support and woo voters from their respective communities.
“Even during non-election times, some go really extreme on issues of race and religion.
“When politics is mixed with race and religion, it is explosive potentially. During the last 15th general election, it was evident in the peninsula that extreme political tactics were used and Sarawak will not tolerate this type of politics,” he said.
He urged Sarawakians to help the state government to keep it perpetually free of religious and racial extremism.
“We must be what we have been all this while; religiously and racially tolerant, moderate and understanding of each other at all times,” he added.
It was reported yesterday that Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah urged the police to take immediate action on parties that poison the minds and rouse the people’s emotions by exploiting differences in ethnicity and provoking hostility among citizens.
At the opening of 15th Perak state legislative assembly, the Sultan of Perak stated the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims should be tolerant, courteous, and peaceful in various matters like commercial transactions (muamalat), agreements and reconciliation.
“Everyone thus plays a role in ensuring that harmonious inter-ethnic relations continue to be nurtured and that understanding between followers of various religions continues to be fostered.
“The people of this country, especially the younger generation, should be given guidance and education on the system of government and nationhood based on the doctrine of parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, as well as the importance of understanding and embracing the five principles contained in the Rukun Negara,” the Sultan said.
