Sabah DAP would like to remind the Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman to be considerate and honest when speaking about the contributions of non-Muslims in Malaysia. As a Christian Kadazan Malaysian I am very insulted and offended by his (Abdullah’s) statement alleging that he was surprised that non-Muslims are given so many privileges in the first place.

Abdullah must be educated in history especially the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963. He has forgotten that there are more than a million Christians in Sabah and Sarawak alone who call Malaysia their home. Without Sabah and Sarawak (and Singapore) there is no Malaysia. I hate to say this but Abdullah has to get out of this ‘Malayan’ coconut shell.

When our forefathers decided to go for the Federation of Malaysia it was for the future of their children and future generations. They were concerned about security which they hoped Malaysia could provide.

To them, Malaysia is a secular nation based on what is written in the federal constitution. There was no state religion as far as Sabah and Sarawak is concerned but we have accepted that Islam is the official religion and that there is a guarantee of freedom for other religions to practice.  

Today across the South China Sea we see a movement going away from the spirit of the formation of Malaysia. Some of our Malaysian counterparts there have forgotten the role of Sabah and Sarawak in the establishment of the Malaysian Federation. Now, people like Abdullah can even ask openly what have the non-Muslim Malaysians contributed to the nation? Abdullah went further to question the privileges of Malaysian citizens.   

I would like to remind Abdullah to refrain from speaking without giving any thoughts about the millions of non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak. I would like to advise him (Abdullah) to digest the words of the US President Barack Obama who said that the progress of Malaysia depends on how it treats its citizens, especially the minorities.

The United States has a long history of racial discrimination and after overcoming it, the country is now a military and economic superpower. The United States is now called the ‘land of opportunity’ where everyone can go up the ladder without any restriction. Thus, Obama became the first African-American to hold the highest office in the United States and is the commander-in-chief of the United States armed forces.

I am urging Isma and Abdullah to reach out to all Malaysians irrespective of their religious and racial background. I urge Isma and Abdullah to use their position to help unite all Malaysians. We need to be united in the face of a borderless and globalised world. We Malaysians need each other more than ever.  

I urge Abdullah to look at the bigger picture and not to constrain others because of his own constraint (if he has). Our unity will not only make our forefathers happy but also ensure a bright and prosperous future for all Malaysians especially our future generations.

DR EDWIN BOSI is assembyperson for Kepayan, Sabah DAP secretary and chairperson of DAP’s Sabah Native Consultative Council.