“We have no issues here, even on the use of the word ‘Allah’.
“In Sabah, we have been living together in harmony. Some of my own family members are Muslims.
“We are all privileged and blessed to live in this state where freedom of religion is guaranteed and people of different faiths live like brothers and sisters.”
Melter added that Christians in Sabah had been allowed to practise their faith openly, giving the example of the annual “Walk for Jesus” event in Kota Kinabalu.
Even Kota Kinabalu’s Muslim mayor had joined the event this year, he said after paying a visit to Chief Minister Musa Aman at the state assembly here today.
Melter praised the leadership of Musa, who he said had been an example of religious moderation and mutual respect.
He also thanked the state government for the increase in funds for non-Muslim organisations and schools in Sabah, saying he could not think of any other state that had consistently provided such allocations.
This year, the finance minister has proposed an allocation of RM32 million for various non-Muslim bodies in Sabah.
Melter also invited Musa to officiate the annual Kota Kinabalu Christmas gathering, which will be held on Dec 11 in the city’s Padang Merdeka.
After the meeting with the Anglican bishop, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman called for a separation of religious and political matters in the state, asking opposition leaders in particular not to politicise religious issues.
“Politics should remain politics, and religion remain religion.
“I urge politicians not to use religious issues,” he said, adding that this had been a favourite subject for the opposition of late.
“For us in Sabah, we are all the same, and that’s why we live in harmony.
“More importantly, we must help develop the country,” he said
Musa’s remarks followed a speech made by Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Shafie Apdal to church leaders in Keningau on Sunday.
In his speech, Shafie said the BN-led government should let Christians in Sabah and Sarawak use the word “Allah” in their worship.
He added however that the word could not be used by non-Muslims in the peninsula.
Shafie was quoted as saying that Christian leaders, including Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Joseph Pairin Kitingan, United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) president Bernard Dompok and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Joseph Kurup, had not spoken up on the “Allah” issue.
Kiulu PBS assemblyman Joniston Bangkuai yesterday said BN Christian leaders had always been vocal in defending the rights of the Christian community.
He wondered why Shafie didn’t talk about all these when he was a minister.
“Now, he tries to be a champion of everything. Do not portray us like this because we know exactly what we are doing.
“He should ask himself: has he ever stood on our side before on this issue?
“Don’t use this just because you are desperate to get support from the non-Muslim community.”
Instead of trying to work up the people by using religious issues, Shafie should work on bridging the gap between people of different religions, Bangkuai said.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/10/21/pm-christians-in-sabah-sarawak-can-use-allah/
PBS rep: BN Sabah Christian leaders consistent on ‘Allah’ issue