Some 500 attend ‘Malaysia, Sarawak and You’ forum 

 April 8, 2018, Sunday

Wilson (left), Lo (second left), Chong (second right) and Baru (right) join the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching, Most Reverend Simon Poh (centre) for a photo call.

KUCHING: About 500 people gathered at the Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Pastoral Centre (ACCPC) yesterday to witness the ‘Malaysia, Sarawak and You’ forum which featured Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan assemblypersons as panellists.

The panellists comprised Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang from Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen from DAP and Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian from PKR.

This forum, which was the first of its kind for the Catholic Church in Sarawak, saw the panellists responding to the concerns raised by those present.

Dr Helen Ting, a political science lecturer from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Bangi, acted as the moderator.

The timing of the forum incidentally coincided with the dissolution of Parliament. The General Elections would be carried out within 60 days of Parliament’s dissolution.

The forum was organised by the Political and Social Awareness Ministry based in the Blessed Sacrament Church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching, with the objective to raise awareness, educate and generate interest among the Catholic community on national and Sarawak issues.

The panellists touched on the economy, governance and accountability, religious freedom and the rebalancing of Sarawak-Federal relation. Such education is necessary for valuable participation of citizens in the democratic process.

It is noteworthy that the Political and Social Awareness Ministry was established in response to the call from the Catholic community, while remaining neutral in partisan politics.

Its aim is to help its members engage in the Malaysian public life and contribute positively to the advancement of the country by serving the common good.

The organisers stressed the importance of respect and decorum during the forum to inculcate a mature and healthy attitude in politics among Christians.

The organisers also hoped for many future collaborations with elected representatives of different political persuasions to serve and educate the community.