To this end, Chief Minister Musa Aman expressed hope that the National Registration Department (NRD) would immediately rectify existing weaknesses in the issuance of MyKads, such as the inadvertent insertion of “Islam” in the identification documents of non-Muslims.

He also wanted a full report from the NRD on the extent of the problem in Sabah and measures to be taken to prevent a repeat of such errors.

“This looks like an administrative problem. Nonetheless, I want the problem to be rectified in a speedy manner by the relevant authorities,” he said in a statement here today in reference to a recent claim on the issue by Sabah Borneo Evangelical Church (SIB) president Jerry Dusing.

Musa however said that while there were weaknesses in the NRD, the issue at hand should not be blown out of proportion.

“Certain quarters should not be so quick to state that the government has allowed religious radicalism to go unchecked for far too long, supports religious intolerance and corruption as well as criminal activities like abduction,” he said.

He said it was highly irresponsible to make such public accusations, especially when it came from religious quarters, adding that it could fan religious sentiments among the diverse communities that practised different religions in the state.

“Let me make this clear. There is no room for religious or racial intolerance in Sabah. We are a multiracial and multi-religious state whereby the people live in peace and harmony,” he said.

Musa also said the state government gave millions to churches and mission schools as well as Chinese vernacular schools and temples.

“Please be more sensitive when making statements, especially in such an ethnically and religiously diverse state like Sabah,” he said.