Don't spread Peninsula's religious problem to Sabah

KOTA KINABALU - Slurring on each other based on religious divide isn't going to bring any good to anyone nor indicates a healthy sign for future Malaysia, Hj Amde Sidik said, he was referring to both the pro Jais -Jais confiscated 300 bibles from the Bible Society’s Office Petaling Jaya about two weeks ago and Christian, Catholic Weekly Herald’s Editor Rev Father Lawrence Andrew of Selangor over the issue of word Allah.

Hj Amde Sidik who is the chairman of KADAYAN Institute, an institution that does research studies on ethnics and cultures of Borneo says, "We all know Malaysia comprised of many ethnics and religions, it is absurd if we are to fight over religion.

"Look at what happened in South Sudan and Central Africa now. It's all madness born humans but not fit to be human just because of religious difference.

“With us in Borneo Malaysia, we have never had quarrel over religion ever since memorial time that I can remember, if it happens now something must have gone very wrong, it must only be by importation from elsewhere not originated from Sabah.

This problem isn't actually big, he continued, its very much confined to Peninsula Malaysia but because of media enables everyone access to information now the slightest controversy can explode out of proportion in seconds. Malaysia isn't exempted by media explosion phenomena.

We, Malaysians in Borneo have no qualms over religion, don't forget we still have pagans or animists around in Borneo, which perhaps our Federal Constitution isn't good enough in as far as accommodating group like this, especially for those of us who are concerned about individual rights and freedom.

Like in Peninsula, Islam was very much influenced by Arabs via Sumatra to greater extent, but for people in Borneo, Islam was spread from Jawa, which very much culturally influenced by early Hinduism thus we get used to integration, long before Malaysia was formed for example, my grandfather was not born Muslim only became Muslim because he was looked after by Kadayan's family. I therefore have many cousins who are not Muslims but if anyone talk bad about them or want to destroy my connection with them which they are not at fault, I surely defend my cousins first and please, don't assume because you are Muslim and I'm Muslim I would be siding you. I'm here for just and fair treatment for all Malaysians," he said.