By: TERESA KOK
We are on top of the base of Mazu statue. From my left is Jimmy Wong (Tawau), me, Lim Kit Siang, Pastor Jeffery Kumin and Dr Hiew Keng Chiu (KK).
Hello friends,
Lim Kit Siang and I have been travelling in Sabah for 4 days. We took the opportunity of attending the Christmas Celebration organised by Sabah state government and Ministry of Arts and Heritage in KK on 29th December 2007, and attending some activities organised by the DAP Sabah.
On 29th December, after attending the Christmas function in KK, we then drove for 3 hours to Kudat together with Dr Hiew Keng Chiu, Pastor Jeffery Kumin from KK. When we arrived at Kudat, it was about 9pm, then only we have dinner. We stayed at the resort next to Mazu statue that night.
The lady boss of that restaurant told us that they have been hoping that Mazu statue to be built, when the base of the statue was under construction, there were so many tour buses coming to Kudat and have made the area prosper. Kudat is one of the poorest areas in Sabah, there is no industries and plantation in the area, many people are jobless and poor. So, it was right for Chong Kah Keat to come out with the idea of building the tallest Mazu statue in that area in order to attract tourists.
Mazu Statue Is Not Located In City Center & Does Not Cause Traffic Jam
Before I went to Kudat, I was told that the Mazu statue location was at the center of the town and will cause traffic jam, that’s why the state government opposed to it. When I went to the statue site, I realised that this accusation doesn’t hold water at all, as the statue is located near to the sea, it is not at city center. Besides, it is also so far away from the mosque, I think about 1km away. There is no reason for the mosque to oppose to it at all. I was told that the Muslim people there generally have no objection to the Mazu statue at all, in fact they welcome it cos it could attract tourists to come to their town.
I woke up at 6am the other morning, and went to the Mazu site at 6.30am. This is because my the other colleague Jimmy Wong from Tawau has to take the flight of 10.15am to fly from KK to Tawau. He has to rush to KK after taking photo and have press conference.
After the press conference, we then went to city center to see that mosque. We saw that there is an old temple built by Hokkien Association, Hou Teck Temple opposite the mosque, it is about 50 meter away only. The question is, if the mosque has opposed to the Mazu statue, then how come the mosque can be built opposite the Hock Teck Temple last time? (The Buddhist temple was built much earlier than the mosque).
I know Chong Kah Keat is not a political figure that like by all in Sabah. However, if we just look at the issue, we will find that the sabah state government, especially the chief minister of Sabah Musa Aman has been very unreasonable and unprofessional in handling this case. How can he gave approval to the construction of this Mazu statue and the gave the stop work order after that? It is clear that he did this with the intention to sabotage Chong Kah Keat and to take his personal vengeance against Chong Kah Keat due to their personal differences in the Sipadan Island issue previously.
UMNO Splitted Sabah Community
It is sad that religious undermining has slowly creeped into Sabah now. Sabah used to be a state that has highest degree of religious and racial harmony in the country. All these are because of UMNO, UMNO has splitted the peaceful living community in Sabah and has hurted the Sabah’s economy.
Mazu statue is facing the sea. This photo taken on top of the base of Mazu statue.
Behind us is the base of the Mazu statue which is almost at completion.
We are standing outside the Hock Teck Temple. The building behind the tree is a mosque.
This is the mosque which is about 50 meter away from the Hock Teck Temple. The co-existence of both the mosque and Buddhist temple in Kudat town center has never been an issue. It is UMNO politician that made it an issue.
Hock Teck Temple front look. The temple is built by Hokkien Association. It is opposite the mosque.
the statement saying that it can bring economic benefits can not be accepted because of economic factors should be tailored to local interests of the country. Economics is not everything, especially in a country that has a unique composition of the population such as Malaysia. The most should be given priority is the unity of the community and understanding between races and religions. Things that would invite other grievances among people should be avoided and stopped immediately.
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