EAST is East, West is West and never the twain shall meet.
A video posted on the Sabah Info Facebook page does really highlight the gulf in people’s attitudes between East and West Malaysians with regard to racial and religious harmony.
The video shows people of multitude of races – including Muslims in hijabs – participating in carol singing in a pre-Christmas and New year 2024 celebration at a Sabah state government department. The post has garnered over 38,000 ‘likes, exceeding 6,000 comments and viewed 864,000 times at the time of writing.
The poster further justified Sabah unique culture by quoting state religious authorities:
Many Sabahans were quick to point out that they wished to preserve this unique culture of religious harmony without the poisonous invective of certain politicians.
Of course, such practices were seen as anathema by many netizens who voiced their disapproval:
The comments very clearly showed the delineation in ideology between the Peninsular and Borneo states.
Many though simply expressed the wish that Sabah maintain its culture of racial and religious harmony with a culture of inclusivity.
Whatever your views may be of this contentious issue, FocusM would just like to wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. – Dec 25, 2023
