‘Thank goodness I’m Sarawakian’: Alcohol row shows divide between Sarawak, Peninsula, says SUPP man

SIBU (Oct 26): The recent controversy over the serving of alcohol at a global tourism conference dinner in Peninsular Malaysia has once again underscored the stark differences between Sarawak and the Peninsula, said Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong branch chairman Wong Ching Yong.

He said the same situation would not have triggered religious or racial sensitivities in Sarawak, where both the people and government have long upheld a social philosophy that balances personal freedom with mutual respect.

“The third difference is that Sarawak’s political leaders are a stark contrast to their more divisive counterparts in the Peninsula.

“Our local parties would never exploit ethnic or religious differences to advance personal or political agendas.

“Despite having an equally diverse demographic composition, Sarawak has managed to sustain genuine harmony and interethnic respect over the decades.

“The reason is clear: responsible political leadership that unites rather than divides,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

He noted that if the same global tourism dinner had been held in Sarawak, no one would have politicised it through racial or religious lenses, nor attempted to discredit Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing for personal gain.

Wong added that as Deputy Premier and SUPP president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian aptly said: “Here in Sarawak, we don’t police what others drink. If Sarawakians want to have a drink, they simply do. It’s no big deal.”

Wong stressed that Tiong’s insistence on doing what was right should not be misinterpreted as defiance, but rather as a reflection of his commitment to inclusivity under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.

More importantly, as the federal tourism minister, Tiong was acting to safeguard Malaysia’s global image as an open and welcoming destination, while countering the perception that we are becoming extremist or authoritarian, he added.

Wong also cited Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who warned that over-politicising the issue could harm Malaysia’s tourism industry.

“Abdul Karim said tourists come here to relax and enjoy themselves, so their experience has nothing to do with whether Malaysians drink alcohol or not.

“The focus of tourism should be on attracting visitors, but not creating division over minor details,” he said.

He added that the controversy revealed how certain Peninsula politicians were quick to amplify divisive rhetoric, contrasting this with Sarawak’s culture of maturity and tolerance.

“In contrast, I cannot help but feel grateful for the maturity and tolerance that define Sarawak. Thank goodness I am a Sarawakian.

“That said, we Sarawakians must remain vigilant against the infiltration of divisive politics from the Peninsula, even through their local proxies,” he said.

While praising national DAP leaders such as Nga Kor Ming for supporting Tiong’s stance, Wong expressed disappointment that some Sarawak DAP figures chose instead to mock the GPS government, even challenging it to host an official event serving alcohol as “proof” of freedom.

“Such political theatre raises the question: whose harmony are they really trying to disrupt?

“This is hardly the first time Sarawak and the Peninsula have differed on sensitive national issues. For instance, Sarawak never banned non-Muslims from using the word “Allah”.

“Likewise, policies here towards religious funding, Chinese education, and bilingual signage are more inclusive and pragmatic,” said Wong.

He pointed out that since the establishment of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) under the Sarawak Premier’s Department in 2017, the state government has disbursed RM565 million to non-Islamic religious bodies and mission schools as of June this year.

In education, he added, GPS was the first to officially recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), while annual allocations to Chinese independent secondary schools have reached nearly RM100 million.

“Chinese primary schools also enjoy steady increases in annual funding. To many in the Peninsula, these figures are almost unimaginable, yet they stand as evidence of Sarawak’s enduring commitment to multiculturalism and fairness,” he said.

Wong further noted that Chinese signboards and road names are common in Sarawak — a practice many West Malaysians admire.

“Whenever I hear their praise and admiration, I can’t help but repeat the same sentiment: thank goodness I am a Sarawakian.

“Malaysia has long marketed its multiculturalism as a national hallmark, both domestically and internationally.

“Yet, when one compares the two regions, it is evident that Sarawak is the one truly living up to that ideal.

“It is no wonder that people often say: ‘Sarawak, truly Malaysia’,” said Wong.