THE failure of Sarawak’s Unit for other Religions (Unifor) to address the recent heckling of a Catholic archbishop by Muslim youths is troubling, given this unit was set up to foster interfaith dialogue and relations, said the DAP.

The party’s state women affairs chief Irene Chang questioned why Unifor has not come out to assure Sarawakians such a ruckus would never happen again in the state.

“Despite calls from various quarters, which included the Christian groups, Unifor has failed to issue any statements to state if it had looked into the matter and is taking steps to ensure it does not recur,” Chang said.

On Tuesday, a mob of several hundred youths heckled Kuching Archbishop Simon Peter Poh after the Federal Court ruled on the issue of jurisdiction for apostasy cases in Sarawak.

But while the archbishop was heckled, he was escorted by other Muslims to safety.

Chang, who is Bukit Assek assemblyman, said the “the war of words” following the incident threatened the state’s image of “unity among diversities” and of Kuching, which was named the “City of Unity” by the 1Malaysia Foundation in 2015.

“Why is Unifor keeping quiet?” she demanded.

Unifor the brainchild of former chief minister, the late Adenan Satem, was set up to foster interfaith dialogue and relations.

“It is supposed to be a bridge between Muslims and non-Muslims to address and settle amicably the issues which might give rise to misunderstandings.

“It is unsettling that despite what happened, Unifor has chosen to turn a blind eye and keep silent,” she said.

Chang said there was no assurance from Unifor the matter was brought to the attention of the state government and action would be taken against those who had ignited the incident.

“We do not want to walk down the same path as our West Malaysian brothers where religious contention is always brewing beneath the surface.

She said the Sarawak government must also heed calls for amendment to the syariah law to address apostasy cases.

Chang also condemned the death threats against Sarawak PKR leader Baru Bian.

Baru, who is Ba’Kelalan assemblyman, represented the four persons – Salina Jau Abdullah, Jenny Peter, Mohd Syafiq Abdullah @ Tiong Choo Ting and Syarifah Nooraffyzza Wan Hosen in the apostasy cases.

He denied he was proselyting Muslims, as claimed by Facebook user Helmi Bin Abdullah Mee, who demanded Baru be “shot dead”.

Chang said the police should rope in Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to help in their investigation and “catch the suspect as soon as possible.” – March 2, 2018.