Look to Sarawak for lessons on unity, says state minister
KUCHING : Political leaders must stop fuelling racial and religious extremism and instead emulate Sarawak's model of unity, says Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, a state minister and information chief of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu.
He said Malaysia must do more to bridge the gap between ethnic and religious communities, with past, present and future leaders bearing the responsibility to ensure that no form of racial and religious extremism exists.
'They must show a good example. If leaders start using race and religion, that is (how the) rot (starts),' he said in an interview with FMT.
Citing Sarawak as an example of moderation, Karim said the state has long practised harmony and respect among its diverse communities.
'You don't have this problem here. You can go to a kopitiam selling mee jawa, curry or even pork. It's not a problem,' said Karim, who is state minister for tourism, creative industry and performing arts.
'That doesn't make us less Muslim. Our mosques are full. During Hari Raya, we still wear our baju raya,' he said.
Karim said Sarawak also promotes unity from an early age, through youth and school-based programmes that bring together pupils from different education streams.
'During school programmes, I insist participants come from all schools – Islamic schools, missionary schools, government schools and Chinese schools – to mix together,' he said.
Christians and Muslims in same family
Karim said the state's unique demographic pattern helps foster deeper interfaith ties, with some longhouses having the kalimah (name of Allah) on one side and a cross on the other.
'In the longhouses, you will find Muslims and Christians living together in the same family,' he said.
Karim said the Sarawak government also ensures inclusivity is reflected in its institutions, and that he personally ensures appointments at his ministry are racially balanced.
He added that unlike Peninsula Malaysia, where there is a federal Islamic department, Sarawak has also established a Unit for Other Religions to provide fair support to non-Muslim communities. 'Through this, more than RM100 million has been channelled to assist chapels, churches and temples,' he said.
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