Sabah and Sarawak – truly Malaysia , YES YES west Malaysia
was also like that , truly Malaysia , a tolerant society livable place where
all race mingle around and mind their own business but alas that was 30 to 40 years ago. West
Malaysia is now closer to Middle Eastern countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh
as intolerance is a way of life.
Miss the gone times when West Malaysia was a model tolerant
place to live. Have to face facts, once like spilled milk , the tolerant times
are like times many thousands years ago. No wonder more and more West Malaysians are
moving to Sabah and Sarawak
Read below from
www.beritadaily.com
Sabah and Sarawak have taken a hardline stance against the politics of the peninsula, including banning troublemakers of all colours and shapes
COMMENT
I’m sure we are all aware of Tourism Malaysia’s popular tagline, “Malaysia Truly Asia”.
Tourism Malaysia claims that “Malaysia Truly Asia” captures and defines the essence of the country’s unique diversity. It sums up the distinctiveness and allure of Malaysia, making it an exceptional tourist destination.
Malaysia is the only place where all the colours, flavours, sounds and sights of Asia come together. Is Tourism Malaysia actually promoting the huge influx of illegal immigrants (PTI)?
No other country has Asia’s three major races – Malay, Chinese, Indian – plus various other ethnic groups in large numbers. Nowhere is there such exciting diversity of cultures, festivals, traditions and customs, offering myriad experiences. No other country is “Truly Asia” as Malaysia.
However, Sabahans and Sarawakians are having the last laugh on that tagline.
They are aware that the racial discord sparked by various events has created a huge gap in race relations. The perception of Sabahans and Sarawakians is that “Orang Malaya” are preoccupied with “Red Shirts”, Perkasa, Umno’s racial rhetoric, PAS’ hudud and DAP’s chauvinistic ways which have created racial discord.
Malaysia’s history of ethnic strife, including the 1969 riots in which hundreds were killed, makes this development especially troubling.
One report stated that prominent Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia Group, recently cited deteriorating race relations as one of his biggest worries.
However, Sabah and Sarawak have taken a hardline stance against the politics of the peninsula. This includes banning troublemakers of all colours and shapes. The international community must appreciate that the politics of Sarawak and Sabah is entirely different from that of the peninsula.
Therefore, if domestic and international tourists would like a first-hand experience of “Malaysia”, then the appropriate states to visit are Sabah and Sarawak.
In Sabah and Sarawak, the unity among people of different religions and ethnic groups depends on the attitudes of people towards the issues of inter-religious relations.
Research has found that harmony in socialisation, integration and cooperation among religions is shown significantly in the daily interactions between the Muslims and non-Muslims. This has led towards a peaceful co-existence among the different religions in Sabah and Sarawak.
In Sabah, there are 32 officially recognised ethnic groups with the largest non-indigenous group being the Chinese and the largest indigenous group being the Kadazan-Dusun people.
‘Peace, happiness and prosperity’
Two other larger ethnic groups in Sabah are the Bajaus and Muruts. Compared to the other states in the country, Sabah has a relatively small population of Indians and other minorities.
One could witness the fusion of all these ethnic groups including the Malays, Chinese and Indians at any of the tamus, weddings, funerals, kopitiams, parties, religious and cultural festivities.
Recently, the writer attended a Kadazan Christian wedding which was held at a popular eco resort in Lok Kawi. There were no fewer than four tables occupied by Muslim relatives and friends. They too had a jolly good time and interacted freely with other guests.
In another touching scene, mourners from all walks of life, young and old, came to pay their last respects to murdered teenager and former SM La Salle, Tanjung Aru student Yaacob Nasran at a Muslim cemetery in Kampung Likas.
In a final tribute, during the funeral procession, his friends and former students sang the SM La Salle anthem. Such stories are not rare in Sabah. Positive inter-race relations have become an integral part of their daily lives.
Compare the above to the polarised and partially segregated Malaya or peninsula where individual liberties are now being challenged.
These days it’s become a sensitive issue for Muslims to even wish their Christian friends Merry Christmas. Religious bigots are waiting on the sidelines to start a bushfire. One comment made was, “That’s what politics has done to our society.”
Here’s some wisdom from a professional peace advocate to our nation’s religious bigots, Pharisees and Sadducees.
One of the attendees at an event held at the Synagogue sent the speaker this beautiful note: “Thank you for coming to speak at the Temple Judea tonight, Sarah! I was inspired and moved by the beautiful details of your amazing story. I learned so much and so appreciate your thoughts and perspective.”
The response from the speaker Sarah Khan was, “I’m truly humbled. As a professional peacemonger, my purpose has always been, not to change minds, but simply to broaden perspectives, as that’s how you sow the seeds of empathy.”
It’s now become a norm for politicians to shoot from the hip and create a mess of the situation. However, civil society will continue to remind them of the vision and aspirations of our founding fathers.
Let’s begin this year by reminding ourselves of what Tunku Abdul Rahman quoted in relation to the new constitution.
“The Constitution provides the framework for a happy and contended Federation. Let us make it work and build ourselves and our descendants a Shangri-la whereby we can all live in peace, happiness and prosperity.”
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Sabah and Sarawak – truly Malaysia
