The Borneo Post reported them as saying that the decision not to table a bill to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, or Act 355, was proof that Najib Razak was a leader who listened and went for consensus.
Among the BN component parties that strongly voiced their opposition to Act 355 were Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), the report said.
The Borneo Post quoted PRS president Dr James Jemut Masing as saying: “He (Najib) values the multiracial sentiments of communities in Malaysia and will not cross the ‘red line’, which may destroy the spirit upon which Malaysia was founded.”
Masing said the lesson to be learnt from this episode was that Sarawakians must stand united on issues that affected them.
SUPP president Senator Dr Sim Kui Hian noted that a united voice from the Sarawak BN had played a vital role in influencing the decision.
“With a stronger and united Sarawak BN, we are able to oppose any issue prejudicial to the interests of Sarawak and the nation within the BN,” he was quoted as saying.
He added: “The BN, being the government of the day, owes a duty and a responsibility to all Malaysians, to ensure that all races live in peace and harmony and are free from any constitutional crisis or mutual distrust.” .
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) acting deputy president Douglas Uggah Embas said: “He (Najib) has made it very clear that any decision taken must be based on consensus and for the decision not to table the RUU 355 (Act 355) is a reflection of Najib being a leader who has been listening to the voices of various parties, and it is welcome news.”
PRS Youth chairman Snowdan Lawan praised Najib for being a genuine leader who respected and accepted the views of other BN component parties.
“This is what we call team spirit. Even though Umno is the biggest party in the country, its president chose to listen to other BN family members, especially those from Sabah and Sarawak,” The Borneo Post quoted him as saying.
Snowdan thanked Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg, Masing, “NGOs and those from the opposition” who together opposed Hadi’s bill.
PBB deputy women’s chief Fatimah Abdullah also said Abang Johari had made the state’s stand very clear to Najib.
On Tuesday, Najib said the government would not table a bill to amend Act 355, and that the one tabled by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in May would remain a private member’s bill.