Upko: Shafie like salesman selling secondhand goods

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) leaders were today chastised for using fear tactics and divisive politics as well as irresponsibly using religion to garner support from the people.

Upko secretary-general Donald Peter Mojuntin said Warisan president Shafie Apdal was scare-mongering by fanning religious sentiments among Christians in Sabah.

He likened Shafie’s statement on Christians being allowed to use the word “Allah” if Warisan came to power to a salesman selling secondhand goods.

“The ruling government of the day has always upheld religious freedom, allowing us to worship in the manner we see fit in our churches all this while. It is not an issue,” Donald said.

He said Upko had been steadfast in its stand on the use of the term, adding that the party had always defended the right of Christians to use it.

“Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) have also been consistent on this issue.

“Actually, all Sabah state BN leaders, including those from Umno, have said publicly that the use of the term ‘Allah’ by the Christian community is a non-issue in Sabah,” he said.

According to Donald, Shafie and other Warisan leaders were using political propaganda to belittle Upko’s efforts and hoodwink the people into thinking that the party could not be bothered about matters close to their hearts.

“Upko past president, Bernard Dompok and present president, Madius Tangau, always advocated religious freedom during their respective times in the federal cabinet, and also to the media,” he said.

Donald also questioned Shafie’s motive in raising the issue now that he was in the opposition.

“The country never heard a squeak from him when he was part of the ruling government,” he said, adding that the people should be wary of Shafie and Warisan’s divisive and dangerous brand of politics.

He said the Sabah state government, under Chief Minister Musa Aman, had allocated millions of ringgit annually to Chinese vernacular and mission schools as well as non-Muslim religious organisations, including churches and temples. -FMT