Kota Kinabalu: The Barisan Nasional (BN) fared well in the recent election in Sabah because Sabahans seldom create issues over race and religion.Towards this end, Tourism, Environment and Culture Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said perhaps West Malaysians could learn something from Sabahans who "are the most tolerant people in the country.""That's why I think the Federal Government should learn from us. I always believe the real Malaysians live in Sabah," he said after witnessing the 46th installation of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Kota Kinabalu President and Board of Directors for 2008 at Warisan Square, Saturday.
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He said back in the 1960s when politics was quite new to the people the sentiment revolved around the symbols of the then political parties.At that time, he remembered Usno using Mt Kinabalu as its logo, while another party, Upko, used the head of the buffalo and that arguments merely revolved on these symbols.
But, over the years, he said race and religion issues had become important in politics and somehow ideology had been hijacked."I think it's time for young Sabahans and Malaysians to become the leaders for all people and not just one race or religion. Your race is (actually) trivial in nature," he said.
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"Unlike West Malaysians, Sabahans are good Malaysians, we seldom talk about religion and race," he said.Towards this end, Masidi urged the JCI members to tell other Malaysians to live like Sabahans. At the same time, he said those deciding to enter politics must also have good intentions to begin with.
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"If you start out with the intention of getting Minister or Chief Minister positions it would never end on a positive note," he said, adding it was nothing wrong to be ambitious but it must also be coupled with good intention.Masidi congratulated the JCI KK chapter for its good work over the year and hoped the new office bearers would be able to continue with community projects especially in collaboration with the private sector such as the Sagajuta Group.He commended Sagajuta Group which was represented by its Executive Director Tan Tiang Lai on behalf of Managing Director/Executive Chairman, Datuk Raymond Chan for contributing RM200,000 to the JCI KK for the 1Borneo and JCI KK Trust Fund as well as 1Executive."The biggest satisfaction is sharing your success with others," he said, adding that on the State Government's part, especially his Ministry, JCI KK could expect support."Perhaps you should consider implementing environmental projects this year," he said. The 1Borneo and JCI KK Trust Fund is to assist organisations and individuals in their endeavours in community services among others.The 1Executive is a project organised by JCI KK to produce young entrepreneurs aged 23 to 39, by being business apprentices of the Ramajuta Group, the developer of I Borneo Hypermall.
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Meanwhile, JC Petrus Conrad Mojuntin took over the President's post from JC Neelkrish Perumal.Also on hand were JCI national President, Senator Sabrina Tiew, national executive vice president, Bonnaventure Kilos and JCI members.
