Click here for more photos.Hokkien and Temple Association fully support CM
New Sabah Times
The Hokkien and Temple Association of Sandakan have expressed full support to the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman in his decision involving the Ma Tzu statue controversy.
It urged the people to view the government's decision with an open mind for the sake of maintaining peace and harmony in the state.Association chairman, Datuk Koh Lin Chee said it was the responsibility of the Chief Minister to preserve the harmony among the different races to maintain peace. He said it was important to consider the religious sensitivities of all communities for the sake of fairness and to secure a better future for all.
"Since Merdeka the construction of religious houses have always been given fair consideration according to local circumstances and constraints. We must avoid placing a religious presence in an area that already has its own religious activities because it might threaten unity," he said.
Koh was speaking to the New Sabah Times after he and members of the association paid a courtesy call on Musa at his residence in Seri Libaran here yesterday accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah. Koh went on to say that the association had never received any objection when putting up temples.
The Ma Tzu statue in Kudat sparked off a controversy starting with the resignation of Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat from the state cabinet. The state government did not approve the location of the statue as it was sited close to the Kudat mosque.
