He said it is very disturbing and highly regrettable that a group of religious extremists led by Mohamad Husain from PAS Tawau chose to oppose Christians celebrating Christmas and New Year's Day in Tawau recently while claiming that they contain elements to spread Christianity.
"This is unprecedented and I would like to stress here that this is a very serious case of which the majority of Sabah citizens are angered, threatened and hurt by the intolerance, racism, religious extremism exhibited by PAS leaders.
He said, "party leaders of peninsular parties especially PAS, don't come to Sabah if they don't respect and understand the customs and culture of the people here. Don't spread your religious fanaticism but learn how Christian and Muslim siblings in a family can sit together, live under a same roof and eat at the same table."
"As an example, I have a large family and my siblings some of whom are Muslims, Christians and even Buddhists. We celebrate Christmas, Hari Raya, Harvest Festival, Gawai Festival and Chinese New Year together.
"In spite of our religious differences, we don't see it as a problem. Instead we practise openness, respect each other and adopt noble values in our family life, Unity and tolerance are our Borneons' mainstay," he stressed.
"The Keningau Oath Stone serves as a monument and reminder from the people of Sabah to the federal government of our guarantees before the formation of Malaysia and in this particular case, freedom of religion in Sabah.
"Though PAS has apologised for their act, they should also prove their sincerity to the people of Sabah by returning to where they came from. In Sabah, PAS is a pest and destroyer of unity, racial and religious harmony in Sabah.
BANSA supported the suggestion by Chief Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal not to allow PPBM to enter Sabah because PPBM is a party from the peninsular. This is also a promise made by its chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in December that it will not spread its wings to Sabah.
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