Warisan warns against importing ‘divisive’ religious policies into Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, May 28 — Warisan has warned against importing what it describes as divisive religious policies from Peninsular Malaysia into Sabah, following controversy over Selangor planning guidelines restricting non-Muslim places of worship from operating in commercial areas and shoplots.

Warisan vice-president Datuk Junz Wong said Sabah has had a long-standing culture of moderation, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence that must not be undermined by policies that risk creating unease among minority communities.

He called on Sabah leaders from the Democratic Action Party (DAP) to publicly state their position on the issue, noting that four DAP representatives sit in the Selangor State Executive Council that approved the guidelines under the State Exco Meeting (MMKN) 34/2025 on November 12 last year.

“Sabahans deserve to know where Sabah DAP stands on this matter,” he said in a statement, Wednesday.

“What advice did Sabah DAP give to their counterparts in Selangor? Do they support these restrictions or not?” he asked.

Wong said the matter could not be dismissed as merely a technical or administrative issue, arguing that it directly concerns religious freedom, social harmony and the realities faced by many non-Muslim communities nationwide.

He said concerns raised by Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung were valid, especially when Pakatan Harapan had openly questioned the implications of the guidelines.

“For many years, various non-Muslim religious groups have operated peacefully in commercial premises simply because of the shortage of properly gazetted land and the difficulties in obtaining approvals,” he said.

“Instead of making it easier for communities to practise their faith peacefully and lawfully, why introduce policies that create greater uncertainty and anxiety?”

Wong said Warisan respected the role of planning and local government regulations, including concerns involving traffic flow, safety and public order, but stressed that such policies must be implemented fairly and sensitively in a multiracial society.

“We do not want to see policies that unintentionally marginalise minority communities or create the perception of unequal treatment,” he said.

Wong also warned that if similar restrictive approaches were introduced in Sabah, they could affect many religious communities that had coexisted peacefully for decades.

“Warisan will never support policies that divide communities, inflame religious sensitivities, or undermine Sabah’s long-standing culture of harmony and inclusiveness,” he said.

“At a time when Malaysians are already facing economic hardship and rising social tensions, politicians should focus on strengthening unity — not creating new fault lines among the people.” — Daily Express 

المصدر: Malay Mail