We will be fair and just to our multi-religious society: Abang Jo

KUCHING: The Sarawak government will continue to ensure fairness for all regardless of race and religion.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari said Sarawak’s leadership which is based on Islamic principles, strives to ensure fairness for members of its diverse, multiracial and multi-religious community.

“Allah has bestowed wisdom upon the Muslim community in Sarawak to carry out their duties in line with the principles outlined in the Medina Charter.

Abang Johari delivers his speech. Photo: UKAS

“We must provide justice to the best of our ability to all those under our care, including non-Muslims.

“Therefore, we hold to our faith and use wisdom in our duties to maintain harmony,” he said during a dinner held in conjunction with the 124th meeting of the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) here today (June 28).

On another matter, Abang Johari clarified that not all mosques in Sarawak deliver the Friday prayer sermons in English.

“The use of English is not meant to elevate the language but to cater to those who are not fluent in Arabic or Malay.

“When we have groups of Muslim converts who have chosen Islam as their faith, we need to conduct some da’wah (Islamic outreach) and we use English.

“However, this does not mean that all our mosques use English, only specific areas,” he said.