Senior lawyer lambasts critics calling Sarawak govt’s aid for Islamic community as ‘discriminatory to other groups’

Shankar Ram Asnani (file photo)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 25: The Sarawak government’s initiatives to enhance educational support within the Islamic community should not be criticised, especially considering that it has also extended financial aid to Chinese independent schools and mission schools.

In stating this, senior lawyer Shankar Ram Asnani described Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg as a kind-hearted man who has helped various segments of the community and all the different races without any discrimination.

“Thus, any attempt to stir disharmony is very sad,” he said in a video recording shared with DayakDaily via WhatsApp today.

He was responding to viral videos alleging that the Sarawak government practised discrimination against certain groups of people by assisting in the establishment of an Islamic technical college.

Shankar further said that the Premier has even launched his initiative to provide free tertiary education for all Sarawakians.

“So what is there to complain? Why create disharmony and divide, and create barriers where there is none? In Sarawak, there is none.

“When the Muslims ask for a technical college, what is wrong (with that)? We can request that the non-Muslims be allowed admission so that we can learn and also serve them. Islamic technical know-how is also good for other races,” he opined.

Nevertheless, he believed that calls for the project to be scraped and allegations that the Islamic college initiative is discriminatory, are unfounded and misconceived.

In a separate written statement, he also said that Sarawakians must recognise that the Sarawak government has been providing financial assistance to Chinese independent schools and mission schools.

“If there is a need for any need or provide further assistance in the Islamic community, it should not be chastised as all assistance to further education should be welcomed. They should also not conflate the education matter with official religion issue,” he added. — DayakDaily