Adenan stands firm on English

KUCHING: Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem will not back down on English as the second official language for Sarawak despite opposition from many parties.

“Whether they agree with me in theSemenanjung (peninsula) or not, I don’t care,” Adenan said to loud applause during a ceremony to hand over native land titles to residents in Serian, about 60km from here, yesterday.

“I made English the second language in Sarawak. Of course, Bahasa Malaysia is still the main language. We agree and have no issue with that.

“But what is wrong with us also being proficient in English? It’s the language of science, learning, literature, technology, business, research, communication and international relations,” he added.

Last month, Adenan announced that English would be the state’s second official language, leading to criticism from Yayasan Karyawan, Perkasa and former Cabinet minister Tan Sri Rais Yatim.

Yesterday, Adenan also repeated the state policy of allowing non-Muslims to use the word “Allah” to refer to God.

He remarked that there were more non-Muslim bumiputra in Sarawak than Muslims.

“You can use ‘Allah’ any time you want. No problem. Just use it with respect,” he said.

Adenan added that he did not want extremism to take root in Sarawak.

“I will not tell you how to practise your religion. I am a Muslim and I try to be a good one.

“But I will not tell my Christian friends how to worship. It is their business,” he said.

On oil royalty, Adenan admitted that the Federal Government had not agreed to hike the rate from 5% to 20% yet.

“But we won’t give up, even though the price of oil has fallen. We’ll stop (negotiating) for a bit. When the price goes up again, we’ll continue.”

Adenan Satem reassures Sarawakians no bibles will be seized

Adenan Satem reassures Sarawakians no bibles will be seized

Adenan Satem

 

KUCHING: Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has repeated his government's promise not to interfere in matters of faith.

"Let me reassure my Christian friends no bible will be taken from you and there will be no restriction on the use of the bibles among  Christians in Sarawak," Adenan said in his Christmas message on Thursday, delivered in English and Malay.

He said he was in "no position" to tell individuals "how to worship".

"How to manage your religion is your business. I have as well declared that Christians in Sarawak can use the word 'Allah' provided it is used with respect and reverence."

These reassurances, he added, were not mere rhetoric as in the last 20 months the Government had "provided millions of ringgit in allocation to build churches and temples".

"Living in peace and harmony with each other is our tradition. I want to thank Sarawakians for recognising the need to ensure racial and religious harmony continue to prevail.

"It is alright to have differences in opinion and in ways of doing things. I do not expect people to agree with me all the time.

"More importantly, we must respect others and different opinions. We should be open to discuss and work for the greater interest, welfare and well being of all Sarawakians."

He said the Sarawak Government would spend RM600mil next year to build rural roads and bridges not allocated for by the Federal Government.