IN THE aftermath of the unexpected Molotov cocktail attack at the Jalan Satok KK Super Mart outlet in Kuching on Sunday (March 31), Sarawak’s ‘most active’ social activist Peter John Jaban has reminded Malays in the state not to be carried away with subversive propaganda orchestrated by their Peninsula brethren.
The Sarawak Associations for Peoples Aspirations (SAPA) publicity chief further urged vigilance among Sabahan and Sarawakian rangers and civilian traditional guards while emphasising the need for a united front against hate speech, religious intolerance and terrorism.
“Sarawakian Malays are not easily influence by bigots from Peninsular Malaysia,” he pointed out in a media statement issued alongside Sabahan activist Atama Katama in his capacity as president of the Defenders of Ancestral Lands (MOPOT) Sabah.
“It is crucial to recognise that Sarawak Malays known for their secularism and tolerance must resist the allure of emulating the extremism seen among some Malayan Malays. Arson and terrorism are foreign to Sarawakians’ culture, hence it’s imperative to uphold values of peace, respect and inclusivity.”
Sarawak state Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Michael Tiang has yesterday (April 2) decried the fire-bombing of the Kuching KK Super Mart outlet – the third after similar incidents at the Kuantan (Pahang) and Bidor (Perak) branches of the 24-hour convenience store chain – as “very un-Sarawakian”.
In condemning the action, the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth chief said such toxic behaviour was unacceptable and tantamount to a challenge on the core values, culture and harmony of Sarawak.
Followong the latest development, both Jaban and Katama further called for swift and decisive action to identify and punish the perpetrators responsible for the violent act.
‘Additionally, the investigative lens has revealed underlying motives, including potential business rivalry tactics aimed at tarnishing KK Super Mart’s reputation by exploiting Islam’s sensitivity,” contended the duo.
“This tactic not only undermines business ethics but also exacerbates religious tensions, thus further dividing communities.”
Earlier, both Jaban and Katama expressed concern that the controversy surrounding KK Super Mart in has reverberated across the business and investment landscape, signalling a dangerous trend of targeting businesses based on political or ideological differences.
“The use of hate speech and intolerance as tools to undermine businesses not only tarnishes Malaysia’s reputation but also threatens its economic stability,” they observed.
“These incidents are symptomatic of a broader issue – a culture of intolerance and bigotry fuelled by hate preachers and political opportunists. This troubling pattern not only erodes social cohesion but also exposes systemic failures in law enforcement and governance.” – April 3, 2024
