Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said mutual respect for each other was the reason why Sabahans are able to live in peace in the State."In Sabah although we have over 30 sub-ethnic groups with many different religions and cultures we still are able to live together in peace and harmony and the reason is because Sabahans practise mutual respect for each other. We respect each other. This is very important. "For example I am having my open house during Hari Raya and I invite all my non Muslim friends besides Muslims as well to come to my open house. Thousands of people from all walks of life attended my open house but at the same time during other festive celebrations like Christmas, Chinese New Year and Harvest Festival, I would also in return attend their open houses.
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"You respect my religion and I will respect your religion, You respect my culture and I will respect your culture. So in other words its reciprocal and a win-win (situation). In Sabah we don't ask, who are you and what is your religion but we treat (each other) as friends," he said.Musa said this to 23 young journalists from various media organisations throughout Malaysia during a dialogue session with the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) 1Malaysia Young Journalists programme at his residence at Sri Gaya here on Monday.
He said the common occurrence of inter-marriages between people from different groups in the State also served to strengthen bonds and respect between Sabahans for each other."For example in Sabah if a Muslim man were to marry and his in laws were Christians and if he were to visit his in-laws they would typically prepare suitable meals for him out of respect for his religion and likewise their son-in-law would also respect his in-laws as Christians.
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"So here the respect for one another among Sabahans is very important and is the key (to harmony amongst the people) and that is why when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak first thought up the 1Malaysia vision, he mentioned Sabah as a role model for 1Malaysia."Musa said the State government under him had also given substantial allocations for both Muslim and non Muslim religions and institutions in the State.
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"These include churches, Chinese temples and schools and the allocation for Muslims as well.
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"So I think the people as a result are very happy and appreciative of the State government's efforts to act fairly towards all parties in the State and this effort will definitely be continued into the future."Also present was Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Malaysian Press Institute Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chamil Wariya.
