By social activist Remy Majangkim
KOTA KINABALU: Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim) has put forth a comprehensive set of guidelines for Muslims considering participation in non-Muslim events.
These guidelines underscore the importance of strictly adhering to Islamic principles throughout the event.
JAKIM, which operates under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), receives a substantial annual budget allocation exceeding one billion ringgit.
This new guideline has sparked significant criticism from the public and members of Parliament in Malaysia.
Social activist Siti Kasim was very vocal and reminded the Prime Minister and his government that Malays are not to be micromanaged as such.
The Sarawak Premier, Abang Jo, does not take kindly to such moves. In a recent event chaired by him, he declared that such actions utterly digress Malaysia from moving forward as a nation.
Following a wave of intense criticism surrounding this blunder, it was subsequently clarified that the statement in question was merely an opinion and that it necessitated the approval of the cabinet. So the matter dies off (we hope).
As a new generation of Malaysians emerges and the older generation departs, our greatest treasure is our national unity, which brings together people of different races and religions.
The Borneo States serve as a prime example of how we can coexist and complement each other’s strengths.
Together, we commit to building this nation, with our rights protected under the Constitution. Any attempts to further divide us as a nation should be addressed promptly and decisively.
If that includes changing the sitting government to serve as a heavy lesson, time will tell in the upcoming election.
