Abd Karim: Keep extremism at bay

November 10, 2015

SIBU: Extreme religious or racial views need to be kept out of Sarawak where harmony prevails.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this was because sensitive issues could stir racial and religious discontent.

“Religion has never been an issue in Sarawak and just do not start it…

“We have seen many religious bigots from Semenanjung. We hope we don’t have religious bigots from Sarawak too,” he added.

Hence, he said it was alarming and sad to see some people trying to champion and raise issues which could arouse anger like objecting to the appointment of a principal in SMK Sungai Paoh just because he was an Uztaz.

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, said it had never been an issue on who should be principals, headmasters or teachers in Sarawak.

“We have been able to live with tolerance, understanding and respect with each other and this has also been the case with the schools.

“For the whole of my primary and secondary school, I studied in Christian missionary school managed by the La Salle Brothers and it does not make me less Muslim or being influenced to extent of revoking my Islamic faith.

“Why must these bigots be so alarmed to the extent that rural schools, where majority of students are Dayak, must only have Christian or Dayak principal?

“Look at the bigger perspective. These teachers are here to teach your children and definitely not sent to Sarawak to convert your children. Be thankful for that.

“Further, I believe those who are strong to their faith will not be so easily swayed to change. So don’t bring extreme religious or racial views into harmonious Sarawak.

“Don’t bring your narrow politics to the school,” the assistant minister said.

Recently, Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) supreme council member Cobbold John questioned the Education Ministry for appointing a teacher from the peninsula when it had its own teachers who deserved the post.

Cobbold pointed out that the community in the area should be taken into account when posting someone as principal of a school like SMK Sungai Paoh.

He said a local or Sarawakian should be posted to such schools as he or she would know better the local conditions, traditions and customs to avoid any conflict.

The state government should also look into the matter as at least two cases caused by teachers from the peninsula had happened here before, making locals hate them, claimed Cobbold, believing many local teachers, especially Dayak teachers, were qualified for the post.