KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has called upon the people including Muslims to work together with the state government in mitigating global warming.
He said Sarawak was embarking on a policy to sustain its development and move forward to become greener.
“Global warming has to be mitigated through available technology and it is the duty of all citizens including Muslims to transform the adverse environment that the people are facing today.
“If the environment is not well looked after, there is a danger of rising water levels, and we have to help our friends around the region,” he said.
He was addressing delegates to the Regional Islamic Da’wah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific’s (RISEAP) 19th General Assembly at Riverside Majestic Hotel here today (Jan 3).
Abang Johari also said the world was undergoing transformation and its economic landscape with the advent of new technology and new ways of doing things.
“At the same time, we also witness the issues of climate change which if not checked, will threaten mankind and God’s creation.
“It is, therefore, incumbent upon the present generation to sustain the environment and seek new knowledge through research and development.
“After all, Verse 10 of Surah Al-Jumu’ah in the Quran which reads, ‘Once the prayer is over, disperse throughout the land and seek the bounty of Allah. And remember Allah often so you may be successful’ requires us to do so,” he pointed out.
On another note, he said Muslims followed what has been expounded by Islam’s great scholar Ibn Khaldun who had done research and shared his views on social justice and fundamentals of economics, long before Adam Smith.
“In the new era, it is, therefore, our duty as practicing Muslim to upgrade the quality of education, and to master Science and Mathematics to contribute to the development of mankind.
“In the Quran, it is expounded, among other things, that God will not change us in shape and our future of the community or mankind, but they have to change themselves.
“This is clearly stated in the Quran, if you were to advance further, and to use our mastery of knowledge, we are able to contribute to the development of society that we are in particularly in the Southeast Asia region and the Pacific,” he said.
In light of this, he called upon RISEAP and fellow Muslims to persevere and look towards the teaching of Islam as a peaceful religion that emphasises on knowledge.
“We have to read in order to acquire more knowledge for us to face challenges in the next 25 years,” he said.
On the assembly, Abang Johari said it was a testimony of diversity which unites and promotes solidarity and harmony.
Noting that the delegates are of different backgrounds, he said Sarawak serves as a good example of racial harmony that promotes peace and unity among its people of various religion and racial backgrounds.
In facing challenges, he said Muslims were also being recognised as exemplary ‘ummah’ in the society they lived in.
“To my mind, let us focus on the development of ‘ummah’ and resolve our differences amicably” he said.
More than 100 delegates from 19 countries are participating in the five-day assembly. The participating countries are Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia.
