No space for extremists in M’sia – Max
Par Bersatu Sabah yesterday denounced any a empt to make Malaysia an Islamic state, saying that there is no space for extremists in the country.
KOTA MARUDU: Parti Bersatu Sabah yesterday denounced any attempt to make Malaysia an Islamic state, said PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.
Assuring Malaysians, particularly Sabahans, Ongkili said PBS would stop any intrusion of such radical act in the country.
“There is no space for extremists in Malaysia,” he said.
“We have made our stand in the past that PBS does not subscribe to the definition of Islamic state. Our stand on the matter has been consistent, and let me reiterate, PBS will never support to make Malaysia an Islamic state.
“This is against the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the constitutional provision in the respect of the practice of religion in Malaysia.
“We have and will continue to object all we can if ever the Federal Government pursue the matter,” Ongkili stressed.
He added that indeed Islam is upheld as the ‘religion of the Federation', but the Federal Constitution also grants freedom of religion.
Ongkili was responding to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki's statement that Barisan Nasional was not shirking its responsibility to make Malaysia an Islamic state based on recent development of Islam in the country which was being strengthened from time to time.
“Such statement is uncalled for, especially from a federal leader. It would raise unnecessary alarm.
“He (Asyraf) is either ignorant or purposely wants to create a stir. He could be speaking in his personal capacity because that (his statement) is not the BN stand,” said Ongkili at the launch of Kota Marudu Level Jalinan Rakyat Plus (JR Plus) Programme, here, yesterday.
The Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister cum Kota Marudu Member of Parliament said the Islamic state definition of PAS was not acceptable to PBS, and this stand was shared by all BN component parties in Sabah and Sarawak.
“I am aware that the seven other BN component parties in East Malaysia - United Pasokmomogun KadazanDusunMurut Organisation (Upko), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Sabah and Sarawak's Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), also share PBS' sentiment on the issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ongkili described the Umno Wanita JR Plus programme, which was launched to replace the Konsep Ketua 10 (K10) initiative, as a strategic way to get close to the people.
“I call on all BN component parties to work closely together under JR PLUS, which would harness the coalition's election machinery, especially with the 14th General Election drawing close.
“JR Plus will be the bridge between the people and the government,” said Ongkili, who is also BN Kota Marudu chief.