KUCHING: The police are urged to thoroughly investigate and identify the perpetrator responsible for the recent act of violence involving Molotov cocktail at KK Mart in Satok on Mar 31.
In stating this, Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said apart the enforcement body, the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) also called for immediate resolution of the issue.
“Everybody knows that Sarawak is such a peaceful state and the level of tolerance among the people of Sarawak is very good as compared to other areas.
“Well, that’s why sometimes even if we seem to be very good, we cannot underestimate things like this because outside there, there might just be somebody who wants to do something to create some kind of publicity,” he said.
The minister said this when asked by reporters after chairing the press conference on #Borneo Pickleball International Tournament at Baitulmakmur Building II today.
Abdul Karim, who is also the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president, said that individuals who seemed to be advocating boycotts and so on are contributing to much stress and tensions in the nation.
“I’m quite puzzled by the slow pace of investigations.
“Utilise any existing laws to halt this kind of nonsense, or else it may escalate into something much larger,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, commenting on issues regarding a viral video on the use of the word ‘kafir’ involving Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Karim emphasised that all forms of disrespect or condemnation towards religions or ethnicities should be avoided.
“I don’t think others who are not of the same faith would like to be called that way.
Every individual has the right to practise their own religion without interference or oppression from others. We must respect the religious beliefs of others without belittling or judging them,” he said.
He added that understanding and tolerance towards religious diversity and beliefs were crucial in building a harmonious and prosperous society.
“You practise what you wish to practise. I practise what I wish to practise. Make it that way. No need to cross the boundary and then telling others mine is the best, yours is not good. It should not be that way.
“We are all created by God, and this fact should be respected by all individuals regardless of religion or belief,” he stated.
However, Fadhlina had clarified that the video was manipulated to incite controversy on matters concerning religion, race, and royalty (3R) by twisting the intended message of her speech, thus unfairly attributing the hate speech to her.
“The content was intentionally crafted to spark debate and misrepresent the original intent,” she said adding that she only specifically highlighted that she discouraged her children from using the term ‘kafir,’ which carried negative connotations towards non-Muslims.
