Rahim (ex-Sabah CP) knew what he was talking about: NGO
Published on: Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Progressive Institute of Public Policy Analysis (PIPPA) Chairman Amde Sidik said Tan Sri Rahim Noor knew what he was talking about when giving his frank views about Malaysia's future, having served as Sabah Police Commissioner before becoming an Inspector-General of Police (IGP). Amde, in a statement, Monday, said Rahim gave his frank views on the path Malaysia should take as country and what the challenges are at a forum recently organised by PIPPA. "Rahim, in fact, spelled out his views on how Malaysia can become stronger in the next 50 years, with the people becoming more united as Malaysians and identifying less with race and religion and with their own state.
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On the other hand, Rahim, warned of the increasing religious discord that can destroy the country based on his experiences as a law enforcement officer for more than 30 years of his life, he said. "Of particular relevance was his view that if Malaysia were to succumb 'inch by inch' to the Islamisation and the adoption of hudud law, then 'Sabah and Sarawak might think twice' whether they may want to remain in Malaysia. "In making it clear that Malaysia was not intended as an Islamic country, Rahim had referred to the Cobbold Commission Report 1962, which laid the foundation for the formation of Malaysia. "Rahim reminded the audience that the Sabah and Sarawak people of all races and religions and political parties had expressed their views that, although there is no objection to Islam being the official religion of Malaysia, there shall be no official religion in Sabah and Sarawak. This is recorded in documents which are available to the public," he said.
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He, therefore, called on political leaders from PAS and Umno to have an open mind on such matters. He was referring to statements by an Umno member calling to ban Rahim from entering Sabah and criticism by PAS leaders that he should be more careful with what he says as a Muslim.
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"To put it bluntly, Rahim, who served as Sabah CP in the mid-1980s has engaged in a great deal of nation building and was telling the people about the inconvenient truths facing Malaysia," said Amde.Rahim told the forum that when the idea of Malaysia was mooted, religion was the main issue addressed by the Cobbold Commission, which was formed in January 1962 to determine whether the people of Sabah (then British North Borneo) and Sarawak supported the creation of the federation. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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