Press Statement By Michael Kong:
Again, GPS has shown how it Is insensitive towards the concerns of the general public. What Alexander Nanta Linggi recently commented about people seeking cheap publicity over the ‘Allah’ issue is deeply regrettable.
This is how the PN government wants to stifle public opinion. They first tried to stop us from talking about Covid-19 and the Proclamation of Emergency on the pretext of ‘fake news’. Now they are even trying to stop us from speaking out on this ‘Allah’ issue on the pretext that it is all part of the political agenda of opposition parties.
It is worrying that Alexander Nanta Linggi, as a GPS member who is part of the Federal Cabinet, is not publicly denouncing the decision to appeal the High Court’s decision. Not only that, it seems that the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs is agreeable to pursue the appeal since there is a right to appeal.
We have no doubt that Abang Jo’s clarification confirms that ‘Allah’ may be used in Christian publication in Sarawak. However, GPS cannot conveniently feign ignorance that the directive for such prohibition was issued by the Home Ministry of the Federal Government and therefore is obviously applicable in Sarawak. Similarly, the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 is applicable is Sarawak also.
With such an express prohibition, GPS should use its position to actively ensure the appeal against our fellow Sarawakian is withdrawn by the Federal Government so that there is no ambiguity.
GPS should not continue with its arrogant ways of the past. GPS (previously under BN Sarawak) has failed to protect the right of Sarawakians on this issue. For once, do the right thing and dare to stand up against the Federal Government for Sarawakians.
Michael Kong Feng Nian
Special Assistant to YB Chong Chieng Jen
