KUCHING: Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) has condemned the remarks made by Pasir Puteh MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh about the Bible in Parliament to be thoughtless and careless.
The Parti Se-Islam Malaysia (PAS) lawmaker’s remarks were made during the debate on the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2020 to propose harsher sentencing for drink driving offenders on August 26, 2020.
SPA secretary David Hii Ching Loong said that the association takes pride that the people of Sarawak have always enjoyed racial and religious harmony together and have always lived in peace amongst different backgrounds.
“Such remarks made were not only insensitive but thoughtless, careless and cannot be condoned — even so when it was made during a Parliamentary session.
“Matters during a Parliamentary session should be free from religious and racial remarks. Both the Federal Constitution and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) guarantees and provides for the freedom of religion,” he said in a statement.
He noted that the association strongly condemns any remarks or actions from any parties which may disrupt racial and religious harmony in the state.
Sarawak has always been an icon of multiracial harmony and its people must continue to foster it (multiracial harmony) which will lead to the nation’s success.
Hii stated that SPA demands for an apology from Pasir Puteh MP and hopes that in the future, the latter would set a better example for the people of Malaysia in encouraging and promoting religious and racial harmony among the people of Malaysia.
