KUCHING: Freedom of religion is one of the autonomies which the state government continues to uphold without any compromise.
“In this regard, the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) is our powerful guardian and therefore, we should not gamble our future and be unnecessarily emotional in trying our luck by supporting any new entity which has not been tested or which does not have the required qualities to lead us through this difficult time,” said Local Government and Housing assistant minister Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil when asked to comment on the expression of unhappiness and fear among the non-Muslims in the state following the Malaysian Islamic Party’s (PAS) inclusion in the new federal government under the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
“We must uphold the spirit of ‘Sarawak First’ very dearly,” said the Marudi assemblyman to New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Penguang said that the public has gotten the wrong perspective of the whole episode, explaining that one must be clear that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is not joining the Perikatan Nasional, but is only supporting Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the eighth prime minister in the best interest of the nation and Sarawak.
“GPS will maintain its neutrality and will continue to put Sarawak’s interests first.
“We thought that this is a very opportune time and a very favourable political climate for us to seek to restore our lost rights and privileges, and Sarawak’s autonomy as clearly specified in the constitution as well as the Malaysian Agreement 1963 and other relevant documents,” he added.
Penguang also does not believe that the action (supporting the prime minister) would affect GPS’ popularity and votes in the coming state election.
Meanwhile, Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh said PAS should not be a big issue in Sarawak as the majority of Sarawakians rejected the party’s ideology.
He said Sarawakians need not have to be so obsessed about PAS going to “conquer” Sarawak.
“We are multi-racial people in a multi-religious country and we should stick to the principle of unity in diversity and that is what our forefathers have fought for.”
“And I do believe that with the wisdom of our leaders, they know how to deal with PAS.”
The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth Wing deputy chief believes that the support shown by GPS to Muhyiddin will not affect GPS’ popularity and winning chances in the 12th state election.
