Indigenous Christian group, Native Solidarity of Sabah (PAN) today expressed concern over the Islamisation of its community there, and also the influx of foreigners, mostly Muslims, into the state.

In a press statement today, they prayed for divine intervention into the injustices their people have been subjected top.

“The religious extremists early this year have used fraudulent means to deceive our innocent and illiterate brothers and sisters to unwittingly convert to Islam.

“Three months have passed since this shameful action. Despite police reports having been made against them, no concrete action has been made.

“This only led us to surmise that these extremist groups may enjoy the support and protection of some powerful people. This unjust and fraudulent action has threatened the peace and religious harmony that Sabah has enjoyed for so long.”

The statement, in the wake of the Memangkis celebration in Sabah at the Pitas church, demanded a stop to these mass conversions through fraudulent means and the authorities nullify such actions without further delay.

They reminded that in Islam, a person must convert with full knowledge on their own free will.

Exploiting weaknesses for conversion

“The so-called mass conversions by deception are, therefore illegal,” said the statement issued by PAN.

It claimed the extremists took advantage of the illiteracy and Sabahans’ poverty-stricken conditions to trick them into thinking that they will bring welfare and aid.

Some, PAN said, accepted the aid and were asked to sign a document.

“This is a trick. This document is now used against them as so-called proof that they have agreed to become Muslims.

The statement also pointed out that Sabahans who have a 'bin' or 'binti' in their names are automatically listed as Muslims in their MyKad by the National Registration Department as a matter of policy.

“This is Putrajaya's MyKad Islamisation of bumiputera Christians in Sabah. Complaints have been made to NRD over the MyKad but the complainants were told to go to the Syariah Court to get a declaration that they are not Muslims.

“How can a Christian appear before a Syariah Court which is not only an insult but a gross violation of our fundamental right to the freedom of religion as guaranteed in the federal constitution and the 20-point agreement,” the statement said, adding that the move is endangering their children as they could be converted in kindergartens or schools.

PAN said while the Sabah and Sarawak governments had allowed the use of the word 'Allah' but Putrajaya insists the word is exclusive to Islam.

“Regardless of what Putrajaya or any earthly courts may say or do, we will continue to use the word ‘Allah’ as our forefathers have done before,” it said.

Illegals enjoying more rights

Sabahans, it said are not only victims of political Islam but also race-based economic policies that have dispossessed the citizen of their God-given rights.

PAN added that  illegal foreigners with illegal identity cards are enjoying more rights and privileges compared with them.

“Multitudes of foreigners have flooded Sabah, who are mostly illegals and Muslims. This action has led Islam to become the dominant religion in Sabah today.

"Again, we Sabahans have been dispossessed in our own land and our significance has been seriously diluted!

“While our cry has not been heard by those in authority, today we appeal to God to hear our plight,” he said, adding there must be freedom of religion.