Incumbent Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal has on National Day rebuked racial and religious instigators.
He said, racially and religiously charged statements should not be made if we aspire to move forward as a nation.
“If people do not learn from the deep-rooted racism and extremism happening in America and Middle East, then racial unity and prosperity can never be achieved.”
“If we resort to issues that can divide us along racial and religious lines, then inter-racial unity cannot be achieved.”
Recently, PAS/PN’s Pasir Puteh Member of Parliament, Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh in Parliament remarked that the Christian Bible was distorted.
His comments have caused anger among the Christian community nationwide, including church leaders who demanded for an apology.
It was on Saturday reported that he has refused to apologise, noting the Christians do not have the right to feel offended.
Shafie, a Muslim himself, leads the also the multiracial and multireligious Parti Warisan Sabah.
He added, leaders should not sacrifice racial unity in desperation and lust for power.
“To achieve unity, we need to unite in building a nation.”
“Do not share extreme and obscured views.”
“Do not sacrifice the harmony we are blessed with in exchange for power and position.”
“The unity we have today must be preserved for the generations to come.”
“If we set a bad example, it will bring harm to us.”
“If we allow extreme views to infest, bloodshed might even happen because of fanaticism.”
