Recognise 'Bumiputera Sabah' As Major Race

KOTA KINABALU, April 8 (Bernama) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) wants the ethnic races of Sabah to be known as Bumiputera Sabah and not as 'other races' in the Federal government affairs and forms.

Its chief information officer, Johnny Mositun said this was in line with the '1Malaysia' concept introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak which emphasised on fair and impartial treatment of all ethnic races.

He said the categories of races in most forms listed major races as the Malays, Chinese, Indians and other races.

"As such the ethnic groups of Sabah and Sarawak fall under the 'other races' category. It is high time that Bumiputeras in Sabah as well as in Sarawak are recognised as clusters of major races in Malaysia.

"There are more than 30 ethnic races in Sabah. This include Kadazandusun, Murut, Bajau and Rungus but it is suffice if the cluster is known as Bumiputera Sabah and not as other races," he told Bernama here, Wednesday.

Mositun, who is also Sabah State Assembly deputy speaker, said all quarters should show their sincerity and forthrightness in making the 1Malaysia concept a reality.

"Actually this is a sore point for the people of Sabah, who long for fairness and impartiality in the country's administration. Hopefully, with the change in the country's leadership, the situation will be corrected," he said.

In another development, PBS Youth chief Datuk Jahid Jahim described the burning of Sabah flags in Lahad Datu on Saturday as a contemptible act and called for a legal action against those responsible.

Jahid, who is also Sabah Assistant Youth and Sports Minister, said the younger generation should deplore the despicable act.

In the 8.40am incident, 12 people including one claiming to be a descendent of the Sultan of Sulu, were arrested for burning six Sabah flags in front of the Lahad Datu market and a supermarket.