PARTI Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) has rejected Premier Abang Johari Openg’s recent statement that Sarawak’s “non-Muslims need to be given protection by the Muslims”, describing it as condescending and showing no respect for the multiracial and multireligious make-up of the state.

In a statement, the race-based political party, born out of one that was deregistered in 2004, said the state’s ethnic Dayaks, who are largely non-Muslims, do not subscribe to the Medina charter that the premier had said was being used in Sarawak to give that protection.

It said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government that Abang Johari helms is wrong when talking about the Medina charter.

“When the Medina charter was written, it must be understood that there was no democracy and free elections (in Medina then),” the party pointed out.

“Today, Sarawak is a secular democratic country. In a democratic setting, like ours, anyone can rule the state, be they Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, provided that they got the majority from the election process.”

The premier had two years ago said the state government will follow the Prophet Muhammad’s example in state administration for justice and peace for all race and religious groups.

He said the state will adopt the Medina charter drawn up by the Prophet himself, which among others, allowed non-Muslims to freely practise their religions in Medina.

“It will be our model in Sarawak to govern a multiracial and multireligious community. We will use the concept of coexistence, where we live together, live in harmony and live a good life. If this becomes our state concept, we can go far,” Abang Johari said.

He had reiterated the message recently.

PBDSB said keeping Sarawak a secular state and seeing it grow into an economic powerhouse in Malaysia will continue to be the party’s focus.

PBDSB also raised the scenario of what would happen if one day, a non-Muslim party manages to wrest control of the state government through its majority win in an election.

“Do non-Muslims still need protection from Muslims?

“In a state like Sarawak where democracy is the basis upon which our government was formed, that line of talk is not relevant and at best confusing the general public.”

The party said it is the duty of the government to protect its citizens from whatever kind of threat that endangers a particular race or religion.

“Such responsibility is enshrined in our constitution where the government of the day is obliged to protect every citizen, regardless of creed or colour,” it said. 

“If the government seeks to only prioritise a certain religion while neglecting others, our country may well descent onto anarchy and lawlessness.” – August 10, 2022.