Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Umno has thrown its weight behind the proposed completion of the Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) statue in Kudat, saying it should be looked at from a broader perspective.
The Muslim-based party became the third partner in the Unity Federal Government to do so after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS). Sabah Umno head Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin also rubbished claims that the statue would affect Muslim sensitivities.
He pointed out that nothing of that sort happened in other places in Malaysia, including in Muslim majority Kelantan ruled by PAS which housed the nation’s largest Buddha statue.SPONSORED CONTENT Increasing consumer awareness of Sabah’s chili brand in Singapore Kota Kinabalu: Borneo Hot Sauce, a maker of chilli sauce, wants to increase consumer awareness of its brand in Singapore after a good launch that saw 10,000 bottles sold in just six months. Read more Bung, a former Deputy Chief Minister, said it was undeniable that the project would contribute to the State’s economy, especially tourism. “If the state government sees this project as capable of generating the state’s economy through the tourism sector, then it needs to be given due consideration. “Narrow sentiments that hinder the goals of Sabah Maju Jaya must be cast out,” he said.
“Any conflict in the past can be resolved amicably for the benefit of the people of Kudat and its economy,” Bung added, apparently referring to political differences between two former chief ministers that contributed to stoppage of the project 17 years ago, after the Kudat Town Board gave its approval.
He said residents would also benefit from business activities, especially in producing handicraft products, food and so on to be sold to visitors.
“It was also understood that the developer of the project would construct the Mazu statue without blocking the view of the existing district mosque,” he said.
“After completion, the tallest Mazu statue in the world will be another tourist attraction in Kudat after the Tip of Borneo.
“The statue does not interfere with Muslims devotion to worship or cause religious sensitivities let alone damage their faith.
“Several states in the country have statues of different faiths including Kelantan, Penang…the lives of the Muslim community there are unaffected,” he said.
The Kinabatangan MP is confident that the 33-meter-high Mazu statue project would change the face of Kudat, become an icon for the northern district and the focus of international tourists.
“In China, millions of tourists come to the mainland just to see the Quan Yin statue. So it is not impossible that Sabah will also receive a large number of tourists from abroad every year.
The project proposed when Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat was Chief Minister was resurrected by State Culture Tourism and Environment Minister Datuk Chirstina Liew. PBS Deputy President-cum-Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Joachim Gunsalam said by right the statue should have been completed long ago and is what the local economy in Kudat needs as the district does not get many tourists. However, it met opposition from the Sabah Islamic Organisation (Usia) President Datuk Sapawi Ahmad, who said it would disturb the solemnity of Muslim worship.
PKR Vice President Awang Hussaini Datuk Shahrir responded that Sapawi’s claim had no basis and shameful for Muslims as it was akin to suggesting that their faith was water-thin.
“He insulted the intelligence of Muslims. I believe the iman (faith) and knowledge of his fellow Muslim followers are far firmer than he has suggested,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kudat Member of Parliament Datuk Verdon Bahanda said he neither supported nor objected the Mazu but feared the original site would add to congestion because the road is narrow and often has jams.
He said the proposed site also has a school.
“I do not agree if this large statue is built on the proposed site because the area is too narrow, flanked by two hotels and several other buildings.
“Imagine, if the construction continues at the proposed site and involves large tourist buses parking there. Just 10 buses will cause severe congestion.
“In addition to a row of stalls selling handicrafts which of course we prioritise, will also add to the congestion,” he said.
Verdon proposed that if construction is agreed on the same site, the Government should gazette an area at Pantai Bak-Bak as a parking lot for large sightseeing buses that bring tourists to visit the Mazu.
“At the same time, only local residents who have suitable vehicles should be allowed to take the tourists to a ‘drop off’ area to avoid congestion.”
Verdon also suggested that traders from the local community be allowed to do business in the gazetted area to sell various local goods and products.
Verdon also said that as the elected representative, he should have been consulted by certain leaders before they voiced their opinions on the issue.
He said as elected people’s representative he knows more about the needs and interests of the people in the area.
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