Tan Sri Musa Aman said the practice of visiting especially during festive seasons could strengthen unity and promote the feeling of oneness among the people.
According to Musa, the practice of visiting among the people of various races and beliefs in Sabah such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Tadau Kaamatan and Christmas could deepen the feeling of brotherhood among the people.
“We will continue with this (mutual visiting) to boost unity among us and enhance our relations. With this we can develop our beloved state of Sabah together,” he told reporters when visiting the open house of United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) in Tamparuli, Tuaran today.
Present were acting Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin, State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai who is also Sabah Tourism Board chairman.
Meanwhile, United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) Acting President Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau said he is thankful to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his faith in non-Muslim leaders.
Wilfred said Najib has been very fair to non-Muslim leaders in the Barisan Nasional (BN) and has no qualms in giving them strategic positions in his cabinet.
“He has used his power to the best of his ability in including all these leaders in the federal government.
“It should also be noted that it was under this prime minister that, for the first time, there are six full ministers from Sabah in the cabinet.
“I am confident Najib will continue this policy in the foreseeable future,” Tangau told reporters at the Upko Christmas Open House today.
He was commenting on PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s assertion that political decision-making positions in Muslim-majority Malaysia must be reserved for Muslims.
Upko, a BN component party, is a Kadazandusun-based party whose members are mostly Christians.
Tangau, who is the federal science, technology and innovation minister, also said Malaysians should not be too concerned over the perceived collaboration between Umno and PAS.
“We must understand that Umno and PAS only cooperate when it comes to akidah (faith) as can be seen, for example, in the proposed amendments to the syariah law (Syariah Courts Criminal Jurisdiction Act bill brought to the Dewan Rakyat by Hadi for debate).
“However, they are not together when it comes to politics. Umno will always be BN while PAS will always be outside of the coalition,” he said.
Speaking on Upko’s preparations for the 14th general election, Tangau said the party had finalised its list of candidates.
He said Upko only has four parliamentary seats and six state seats in Sabah, so it would not have too much of a problem in identifying the candidates.
He was also upbeat about Upko’s chance of retaking the Penampang parliamentary seat which the party lost in 2013 by the party’s former president Bernard Dompok to PKR’s Darell Leiking, who is now Parti Warisan Sabah’s deputy president.
Upko also lost the state seats of Moyog and Kepayan within the Penampang constituency to the opposition in the previous general election.
“With the support of all BN components and their leaders, I am confident we will be able to win the seats back,” he said.
