SABAH TODAY

BY ADRIAN LASIMBANG
COMMENT: The joint statement on the use of the term “Allah” and urging the government not to appeal on the High Court decision, has been lauded by many leaders across political divide.

I thank UPKO president, Wilfred Madius Tangau who initiated the joint statement which was signed by 22 MPs and Senators and 32 state assemblypersons from Sabah and Sarawak involving 10 political parties.

I also welcomed the fact that Gabungan Parti Sarawak and even MCA have issued statements stating their stand on the against extremism with respect to the decision.

However, it is extremely disappointing that Sabah native parties, PBS, STAR and PBRS have failed to come out openly in defense to the rights of Christians to use the word “Allah”. It appears MCA is bolder than the leaders of these parties”.

From day one these KDM parties, whose members are largely Christians, have obviously compromised to get into power and this is apparent when they willingly accepted the first-ever appointed ADUN from PAS in Sabah State Assembly. Now, they continue to keep quiet so that they can continue to be in power. So can the rakyat ever hope that they are dare to fight for what is right?

It is not too late for PBS, STAR and PBRS to learn from GPS and MCA. I urge these parties to make a firm stand on the “Allah” issue and the High Court decision, and to pressure the Perikatan Nasional at the federal government level not to appeal on the decision.

If PBS, STAR and PBRS do not make a stand on this issue, I hope the people, especially native communities in Sabah, will open their eyes and realize that these parties are neither principled nor have the ability to fight, and have only been making promises and statements to get into power.

It is much more disappointing to see KDM leaders from interior cannot even do anything to fight for the aspirations of our native communities as enshrined in the Batu Sumpah in Keningau. Leaders like Dr Jeffery Kitingan and his party even do rituals on the Batu Sumpah and have pledge their commitment to protect the aspirations of the Batu Sumpah, but it seems to be only a political gimmick to gain political mileage.

The continuous battles in our courts on this issue have affected the freedom of the natives of Sabah to profess their religion. It is time to end this, and we should emulate Indonesia where it is not a problem even though they have the bight Muslim population in the world.

• Adrian Lasimbang is a DAP Senator and a member of the Sabah DAP Native Consultative Committee