PETALING JAYA: Peninsular Malaysians should stop exploiting race and religion which can divide the nation and cause disunity, said retired Sarawak politician Tan Sri Leo Moggie.
“Learn from Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak, where race and religion are personal matters and never politicised,” he told theSun.
He said in these two states, which have many races and ethnic communities, diversity is the driving force for national unity.
Moggie was Kanowit MP from 1974 to 2004 and federal Cabinet minister from 1978 to 2004.
He also held various civil service positions in Sarawak from 1966 to 1974.
His message to the masses is that religion should be left as a personal choice and people should respect one another.
Moggie said Malaysians are generally sensible and friendly but unfortunately, political stories always involve race and religion.
He added that even in the history of the world, religion has always been part and parcel of differences.
“For the future of Malaysia, I hope race and religion will no longer be the central road.”
He said for as long as people push narrow religious beliefs, the country would find it difficult to be united.
Moggie said he fears for the country if narrow religious bigotry becomes dominant because this would affect the nation’s prospects.
He stressed that there is a need for moderation in everything, and the people should appreciate each and every community for its cultural tradition and background.
Moggie said Malaysia should be a “rainbow nation” just as South Africa is, meaning that the country should remain a diverse nation, with people of all colours, all backgrounds, rich and poor, all religions and many different languages.
“Diversity is our strength and as a nation, we should all respect this.”
