S'wak church leaders' action regretted: LDP
Published on: Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Central Youth Movement Secretary David Ong on Tuesday concurred with the statement made by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup that Christian activities in East Malaysia, referring to the All Borneo Revival Convocation, should have been held as scheduled as religious freedom was enshrined in Federal Constitution. While LDP respects Islam as the official religion of Malaysia, Ong said other faiths also have rights to practise their own religion, especially in view of the large Christian community in Sabah and Sarawak who have been organising activities without hindrance all the while. He stressed that organising Christian activities did not imply rejecting Islam as the country's official religion.
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Moreover, Ong said the All Borneo Revival Convocation, which was supposed to be held in Miri from June 22 to 25 before it was cancelled, had received the blessing of national leaders. "I believe Muslims and other religions respect this major event organised by the Christian community."He said Malaysians, especially people of Sabah and Sarawak, have always upheld religious equality. "That is the reason we respect each other's religion and live in harmony."
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Ong continued to say that non-Muslims also showed respect to the Islamic faith by refraining from consuming food in front of Muslims during the fasting month. "We have learned to respect each other's religious differences against the backdrop of our multi-religious society."
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Kurup had said that Sarawak church leaders should not have cancelled the All Borneo Revival Convocation because the event had received the blessing of state leaders.Ong concurred that the event should not have been cancelled unless there was a good reason, especially when there was no opposition from the Muslim and other religious communities. "The organisers should not have limited themselves (by cancelling the event), given that religious freedom is enshrined in our Federal Constitution."Likewise, Hari Raya and Christmas open house events are not regarded as illegal activities."Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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