Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Alternative site offer for Ma Zu statue
By MUGUNTAN VANAR
KOTA KINABALU: The state government has offered to provide an alternative site and compensate the Kudat Thean Hon Charitable Foundation after the state issued a stop order on the construction of the state’s tallest Ma Zu statue in northern Kudat.
“We are ready to compensate them for whatever costs they have incurred, provide them an alternative site for free and we are ready to provide the infrastructure if it is lacking in the area identified,” Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said yesterday.
Musa was speaking to reporters after meeting some 50 representatives from Christian, Buddhist and Taoist groups to explain the stop order and to allay non-Muslim fears that religious freedom was being curbed, especially after allegations made by his former deputy Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat.
However, the Kudat Thean Hon Charitable Foundation was not present at the closed-door meeting that was also attended by state Cabinet ministers and senior Chinese party leaders from the Barisan Nasional.
Musa told reporters that Chong was stirring up religious issues in a bid to character-assassinate him.
He said the state government’s order to stop the half-completed project was due to mounting opposition from various groups, including Masjid As-Syakirin Kudat, Abim and the United Sabah Islamic Association.
Buddhist Foundation of Sabah representative Tsen Nyuk Vun said the chief minister had explained the reasons for the stop order and it was clear that the situation arose due to “exceptional circumstances.”
“Though we empathise with the Thean Hon Foundation, we hope the matter will be looked at in a rational manner.
“We hope the foundation will consider the state’s offer and minimise politicising the issue,” he said.
He added that the religious freedom enshrined in the Constitution was being guarded safely by the state government.
Sabah Taoist Association chairman Wong Ka Leong said he hoped the foundation would take up the government’s offer in the interest of unity and harmony.
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