Upko President Sarawak Elections Perfect Time For Closure To Use Of Allah Issue

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Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau has reminded Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob that if he is sincere about the Keluarga Malaysia concept, he should instruct the Attorney-General’s Chambers to withdraw its appeal against the High Court ruling on March 10 that declared the Allah ban since 1986 is unconstitutional.
"I strongly call upon all parties in Borneo, whether local-based or state chapters of national parties, to unite and urge the Ismail Sabri government to withdraw the Muhyiddin Yassin government’s appeal against the High Court’s ruling.
"Voters in Sarawak should make this happen by making clear to all candidates that they want closure.
"The idea of Malay-Muslims in Malaya feeling threatened by Christians praying to Allah is a cultural shock simply because they have not lived in Sabah, Sarawak, Indonesia and the Arab countries to get used to it," he said in a statement today.
He said Muslims and Christians praying to Allah in mosques and churches will not cause apostasy of Muslims.
"The best evidence is that Muslims constitute near or more than 90 percent of the population in the Arab countries and Indonesia, despite that Muslims and Christians have shared ‘Allah’ and other religious terms for respectively 1,442 years and 476 years," said the Tuaran MP.
Wilfred reminded Ismail Sabri that Christians who use “Allah” and other common religious words shared with Muslims are predominantly Borneans and Orang Asli, who speak Bahasa Malaysia as their second or first language, just like Christian Bataks, Dayaks, Ambonese, Timorese in Indonesia who speak Bahasa Indonesia as their second or first language. 
In Sarawak, Bahasa Iban uses “Allah Taala” while Bahasa Bidayuh uses “Tuhan Alla” for God.

He said that instead of addressing the cultural shock with interfaith education and reason, the federal cabinet issued a ban and snatched away the Christian Borneans and other non-Muslims right to pray to Allah, to succumb to the ignorance and arrogance of some Malayans.

"These imperialist-minded Malayans believed that they should decide how Sabahans and Sarawakians, both at home and in the peninsula, could live their life because they refused to accept that Malaysia is an equal partnership of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.”
Hear our plea
He added that Ismail Sabri must hear the plea of Borneo Christians and the 18 MPs, four senators and 31 assemblypersons from Sabah and Sarawak representing them in a statement dated March 15 calling for the withdrawal.
The plea is a cross-party voice. Included in the list are four MPs, one senator and 15 assemblypersons in the government’s camp, namely Willie Mongin (Bersatu-Puncak Borneo), Richard Riot (SUPP-Serian), Larry Sng (Julau) Anyi Ngau (PDP- Baram), Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew (SUPP), Harry Henry Jinep (PDP-Tasik Biru), Miro Simuh (PBB-Serembu), Martin Ben (PBB-Kedup), John Ilus (PBB-Bukit Semuja), Snowdan Lawan (PRS-Balai Ringin), Gerald Rentap Jabu (PBB-Layar), Rolland Duat (PDP-Meluan), Alexander Vincent (PRS-Ngemah), Allan Gramong (PBB-Machan), Christopher Gira (PRS-Tamin), Wilson Nyabong (PRS-Pelagus), Jefferson Jamit (Bukit Goram), Kennedy Chuk Pai (PRS-Murum), Majang Renggi (PRS-Samalaju) and Dennis Ngau (PBB-Telang Usan).
"The High Court delivered in March a ruling which will make Malaysia stronger by enabling Sabahan, Sarawakian and Orang Asli Christians to pray freely as their Dayak brothers and sisters across the border in Kalimantan do.
"It was a victory for not only Malaysia, but also Bahasa Malaysia as the national language and all its speakers, and respect for Bahasa Iban and Bahasa Bidayuh, two languages of heritage in the land of Borneo.
"Sadly, the bigots in the Muhyiddin government insisted to prolong the pain felt by Borneo Christians and shared by their non-Christian families and friends including the Muslims.
"I call upon Ismail Sabri to walk the talk on his Keluarga Malaysia. Show your commitment to MA63 by ordering the Attorney-General’s Chambers to withdraw its appeal on the Allah issue," added Wilfred.

He said he would be happy to take Ismail Sabri to visit the Batu Bersumpah Peringatan Mengikut Perlembagaan (Memorial Oath Stone in accordance with the Constitution) established on Aug 31, 1964, in Keningau.

In simple language, it outlines a social contract of religious freedom and allegiance to Malaysia of four items:
1. Freedom of religion in Sabah
2. The government of Sabah holding authority over lands in Sabah
3. Government respecting and preserving native customs in Sabah
4. In return, the oath of loyalty to the government of Malaysia by the People of Sabah’s Interior.
"The spirit of this simple social contract applies to the whole Sabah including Labuan, Sarawak and even Malaya.
"Ismail Sabri has now the golden opportunity to right the wrong left uncorrected for 35 years by four prime ministers, Dr Mahathir Mohamad (twice), Abdullah Badawi, Najib Abdul Razak and Muhyiddin," Wilfred said.

He added that by withdrawing the appeal, Ismail Sabri would allow Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to stand proud in the upcoming state election, and as his government needs Sarawak and Sabah, he can persuade Malayan hardliners to find civil and reasonable ways to address the Malayan Malay-Muslims’ cultural shock. - Mkini

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