DAP backs Nanta, opposes Palestinian refugees idea

KUCHING: DAP Sarawak is also taking a dim view of the idea of Palestinian refugees coming to the state.

Its chairman, Chong Chieng Jen is therefore backing Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi’s stand in not accepting refugees from Palestine into Sarawak.

In a statement on Monday (Nov 13), Chong said Sarawak is known for its racial harmony, peace and tolerance and thus feared the admission of Palestinian refugees may be disruptive to the state.

“While we empathise with the sufferings of the Palestinians victimised by the Palestine-Israel war, we are worried about the admission of the war victims into Sarawak as there will be clashes of ideologies, beliefs, cultures and ways of life with Sarawakians.

“As such, I urge the Sarawak government to adopt the stand of Nanta who is the secretary-general of Gabungan Parti Sarawak, the ruling coalition in Sarawak, and to state its firm stand to Putrajaya,” Chong said.

Earlier Nanta in a statement backed Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspiration (Sapa) publicity and information chief Peter John Jaban and several other non-governmental organisations’ (NGOs) concerns regarding the possibility of Palestinian refugees entering Sarawak.

Nanta said there is no need for any element that can sow negativity, divisiveness and hatred among Sarawakians eventually.