He said this was crucial as Malaysians appeared to become more divided along racial and religious lines, especially in West Malaysia.
“In Sabah, we should continue to fight protecting the non-racial character of our society. Our social fabric is more harmonious. Many families in Sabah are multi-racial and multi-religious. Many of my Malayan friends, Chinese and Malays and Indians, told me that they are envious of our success as a truly Sabahan people not affected by racial and religious polarisation.
“A heartwarming example of Sabahans’ unique harmony is the reported ordination of Catholic priest, Reverend Abel Madisang of Ranau last week. His ordination was celebrated by many Muslim family members, some of whom wore the ‘tudung’ as Muslims. These are the type of examples that give Sabahans hope for the future. These are examples of harmony that we should export to Malaya and not import the racial and religious polarisation from Malaya into Sabah,” he said.
He was speaking while officiating at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the United Youth Movement (GBBM) of Sabah here, yesterday.
Yong who is also president of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) told GBMM that as a youth organisation, it should continue to play a more important role in uniting the youths of all races and religions.
“This is how Sabah GBBM can be a shining example to other chapters of GBBM and other youth organisations in Malaysia to build a truly progressive generation of Malaysians,” he stressed.
He noted that currently, most youth NGOs were based on racial backgrounds hence they inevitably attract only members of a single race or a single language group.
Yong noted that Sabah GBBM Sabah is becoming more multi-racial, which he described as a good sign.
“Why do I say this? Because Malaysians need to see things from a non-racial perspective, from the human angle and not everything is given a racial or religious flavour.
“Look at Malaysia today. We are so preoccupied by racial and religious debates over little things. Many things that happen have nothing to do with race and religion are given a racial or religious spin.
“Not a day passes by without some form of dispute or debate about race and religion. Car accidents, road bullies, school students, church crosses, even aircraft accidents are given a racial spin. I will not go into details here because you can check the newspapers yourself,” he said.
He then cited the unpopular Goods and Services Tax (GST) as another glaring example where, at the recent Permatang Pauh by-election, an unhealthy trend of racism was used by political parties from both the opposition and the ruling coalition.
“For example, MCA told the Chinese that GST is good for Chinese because the Malays, who pay less taxes, now have to pay more taxes via GST. And then, opposition PKR put up a big billboard in the Malay language in a Malay area, saying that the MCA (BN) stated that GST is good for the Chinese and bad for Malays. Therefore, the logic goes that the Malays should vote for PKR. But as a matter of fact, GST is hurting the people of all races but in Malaya. Yet, GST is given a racial slant,” he said.
Yong said it reminded him of the 2005 case of the “naked, ear squat girl” which had the DAP complaining in parliament that Chinese girls were abused by the police in a police station.
“A DAP MP produced a video clip of a nude woman being forced to do ear squats but it was later disclosed at a public enquiry that the girl in the video clip was Malay, not Chinese.
“After that, DAP kept quiet. Then it became Umno’s turn to complain that a Malay girl had been abused. My question is why should it matter whether the girl was Chinese or Malay? An abuse is an abuse whatever the race of the victim,” he said.
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