Joniston Bangkuai
KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Cabinet’s decision to drop the proposed guidelines for Muslims attending events at non-Muslim places of worship is most apt and appropriate, says a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leader.
Its Information Chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said it shows that the Federal Unity Government is mindful of the people’s sentiments on racial and religious issues.
“Based on what we read in the media, it was only a proposal, and we understand that discussions are ongoing.
“However, in Sabah, we have always embraced our unique spirit of harmony, respect, and mutual understanding among all communities.
“The unique situation in Sabah and Sarawak, where racial and religious tolerance has always been at the highest level, ought to be recognised,” he said in a statement today.
Joniston, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Information Chief, said it is a known fact that the Sabah Government recognised Islam as the official religion of Malaysia, but at the State level it has not neglected the needs of non-Muslim religious bodies.
“For example, this year, the Sabah Government allocated a whopping RM70 million for non-Muslim religious bodies, an increase of RM13.25 million compared to the 2024 allocation of RM56.75 million.
“As Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor often emphasises, the State Government is committed to and consistently practices a policy of fairness and equality in all aspects to assist people, irrespective of race or religion, in maintaining harmony in the community.
“Sabah Tourism Board (STB), in particular, promotes unity through programmes like Harmony Walk/Run, which covers places of worship (the State Mosque, Sacred Heart Church, the Sikh Gurduwala Temple and the Peak Nam Tung Buddhist Temple which are located not far from each other) to highlight the peaceful coexistence of Sabah’s multi-religious society.
“Open dialogue and consideration for each other’s beliefs have always guided our interactions,” said the STB Chairman.
He said Sabah’s approach has always been about fostering unity through mutual respect rather than structured guidelines.
“We trust our multi-religious and multiracial society in Sabah will continue engaging with one another in a way that upholds our shared values.”
