How to save religious conflict in Sabah

Conflicts which arise due to religious differences could be solved through open discussions and an open mind, according to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice Chancellor Datuk Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah. Harun, who was represented by his Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Shahril Yusof, said such conflicts don't only happen among the followers of the various religions. "Tension also arises between religious scholars and secular exponents who pioneered liberal thought," he added. He said this during the launching of a two-day National Conference on Religion and Society, with its theme "Malaysia's Community and Religion Dynamic in the 21st Century" held at UMS, here, Wednesday. The conference was organised by the university's Association of Mixed Methods Researchers and the Language and Knowledge Upgrading Centre.

"Discussions in this conference can certainly look beyond the metaphysic boundaries and will touch on tangible issues of the world."These discussions are important because there are those who give an impression that religion is something personal when a belief system has a bigger role towards a harmonious life and love for each other," he said, citing Albert Einsten's words "science without religion is blind." He hoped the gathering of academicians and professionals from various intellectual fields would provide a wider perspective into the topic."Religion does not belong exclusively to individuals who think they are perfect, but it belongs to everyone, thus, I hope this conference could bring a better understanding among our community of various religious background," he said. Meanwhile, the Language and Knowledge Upgrading Centre Dean, Dr Vincent Phang, said similarity does not necessarily bring understanding and differences do not necessarily lead to conflicts.

"How we balance these similarities and differences is what's important," said Phang who was represented by the Language and Knowledge Upgrading Centre's Research and Innovation Deputy, Dr Anantha Raman. He said understanding towards religion and different community lifestyle changes with time because what is considered appropriate in those days might not be considered appropriate today.

"Certainly there is rational behind the changes and this is why we need to create a platform where individuals can gather and share information on the changes, differences, similarities and relevant knowledge connected to religion and the society," he said.Also present was UMS' Association of Mixed Methods Researchers President Associate, Professor Dr Ahmad Tarmizi Abdul Rahman, who is also the conference organising chairman.

Sources: Daily Express

Please Leave Us with a Harmony Religion

P'sula politicians must not disrupt religious harmony in Borneo 

By: Francil Paul Siah 

NASHARUDDIN Mat Isa is probably an unknown name in Sarawak.

He is also no longer a PAS heavyweight but a party renegade.

But Nasharuddin has carved a name for himself in political and religious circles in the peninsula.

He is the former deputy president of PAS and the serving Bachok MP.

He was said to be the prodigy of the late Fadzil Mohd Nor who was PAS President from 1989 until his death in 2002.

Fadzil was a known moderate in an Islamic party and he went on an ambitious drive to promote young professionals in the party.

Nasharuddin was one of them.

When Abdul Hadi Awang took over as PAS President in 2002, Nasharuddin's star continued to shine as the new boss also found him to be a capable and energetic lieutenant.

Nasharuddin was soon appointed Secretary-General of PAS and by 2005, he was elected deputy president.

However, Nasharuddin's political career took a nosedive following the resurgence of Pakatan Rakyat after the 2008 general election.

He was said to be one of the few PAS leaders keen on unity talks with Umno. Naturally, this did not endear him to the wider spectrum of the opposition alliance and the Pakatan die-hards in PAS.

I wouldn't be focusing on an 'irrelevant' personality like Nasharuddin here if he has not made a preposterous statement about Sarawak politics.

He has alleged that a group had prayed for the establishment of a Christian nation during a thanksgiving event after the Sarawak election last year.

Nasharuddin said this in his working paper that was read out during a National Islamic Missionary Movement Seminar at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

These are strong allegations. Those who were offended immediately slammed Nasharuddin, describing his remarks as "gutter politics", rubbish and lies. I am concerned that he was given such a prominent platform to make those uncalled for allegations.

Politicians are adept at making used of controversies to get noticed.

I think it is Nasharuddin the politician and not the Islamic cleric who came up with the sweeping statements.

There is genuine religious harmony in Sarawak and there is no religious extremism or fanaticism in the state. This is something Sarawakians are very proud of.

Today, let me respectfully ask Nasharuddin not to try to export his religious extremism into Sarawak. Muslims and Christians in Sarawak are a different breed.

We have never experienced any difficulty among ourselves before and I don't think we ever will.

This is something uniquely Sarawakian and only we Sarawakians can comprehend.

Please don't contaminate our beloved state with your religious extremism.

DAP is not known for its religious forte. It has never been a religious-based party.

The party's first attraction was socialism. Then the party flashed its hard hitting brand of democratic ideals which caught on with Malaysians, particularly the Chinese.

Along the way, racialism and chauvinism sadly but inevitably crept in.

But the party prevailed through all these decades primarily due to its political astuteness and consistencies coupled with strong leadership and staunch grassroots. These are the hallmarks of the DAP.

Since its entry in Sarawak in 1978, none of its key state leaders were known to have strong religious backgrounds.

Even if they did, they never revealed it. Although some are Christians, they have not used their faith as a vote-catching mechanism.

Neither have they harped on religious rhetoric in electoral campaigns.

In a nutshell, it would not be wrong to say that Sarawak DAP never has had a Christian flavour or fervour.

Their leaders do not politicise religion. So Nasharuddin's allegations can be dispelled outright in a single swoop.

Let me say this again. Muslims and Christians in Sarawak have no problem with each other and indeed those of other faiths too.

There are no religious bigots in Sarawak.

To those holier-than-thou radicals and extremists in West Malaysia who think they are the only true champions of God, Allah, Tuhan, Yahweh etc, please make an effort to learn from Sarawakians - the so-called backward Borneo people who practise their faith solemnly in quiet hope and peace, never uttering a single negative word against those of a different religion.

You'll be surprised that the Heavenly One loves Sarawakians just as much, if not more.

So Nasharuddin Mat Isa, the next time you have something negative to say about Christianity and Sarawak, please use your head - the one on your shoulders!

Minimum Wages- Need a clear clarification

Sabah employers on Friday called for transparency on the imminent implementation of the minimum wage policy by the government in the country.

"We support the minimum wage policy but what we find is that there is no transparency in how the minimum wage has been set," said Federation of Sabah Manufacturers (FSM) Secretary General, Yap Cheen Boon.

He made the point during a joint media conference with the majority of chambers of commerce and trade associations in Sabah here.

Yap said generally employers have no qualms about paying higher wages for higher levels of productivity in return but cautioned against imbalances in wage levels and productivity.

"Perhaps, the government could give us a grace period or timeframe to introduce this once it is properly implemented," he said, calling on the government to delay the implementation in Sabah by three years.

Towards this end he said they would submit a joint memorandum pertaining to the matter to the State government and to the Human Resource Ministry by January 2012. They called for transparency and involvement in how wage floors were deliberated, factoring in the different costs of living between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.

"We do not know what the minimum wage is, so we are frustrated because we think that the process is not transparent and we are not involved in the process.

"There should not be a blanket standard minimum wage that applies across the board. The rates should take into account structural differences within respective industries and sectors.

"Significant structural differences exist among different industries that need to be properly considered and addressed."

Yap said they believe the principle of introducing a minimum wage is to make sure workers are not exploited and that they earn wages that will allow them to have a decent living standard.

"That is the declared objective of the minimum wage by the government and as employers we support this principle, however we are just not sure how it is being set or formulated. However, we are frustrated because we are not being properly involved," he said.

"We view this matter very seriously because it is something that will have impact on the cost of doing business here in Sabah and we think that the government should give us the opportunity to be involved."

A total of 24 Chambers of Commerce and trade associations were present, among them the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sabah Timber Industries Association.

Sources: Daily Express Sabah

Picture: Google Image.