Elak retorik memecah-belahkan, hormati semua agama, gesa Uskup Agung Kuching

In Malaysia's Independence Day broadcast, Archbishop Simon Poh urged Malaysians to abandon animosity and prioritize honorable camaraderie. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia (CBCM) called upon the populace to shun prejudice, rejecting political or religious rhetoric that could divide society, stemming from an inappropriate jest by a recently appointed Umno division chief.

During Malaysia's Independence Day, Archbishop of Kuching Simon Poh stated that demeaning religious figures should not be made in any official gathering in the country. He addressed a social media video showing Umno Sepang Noorazli Said making inappropriate comments about a pastor and a midwife during the Umno General Assembly on Saturday.

Poh, who is also CBCM president, characterized the incident as something that wounds the hearts of the Catholic community since pastors and midwives have selflessly dedicated their entire lives to managing hospitals, charitable institutions, and schools serving and educating the Malaysian populace from all races and religions. "Yet, it is comprehended when many citizens are affected, urging legal action, an open apology, retracting the jest, and appropriate actions to address the insult to religious sensitivity," he said in a statement.

Urging harmony preservation, nation-building, Poh also called upon Malaysians to reject political or religious rhetoric that could ignite societal harmony among diverse communities. "As citizens of this country, let us be careful with our words and guard our hearts from prejudice, hatred, and stereotypes when referring to each other's communities, religions, or communities alike," he said.

He also invited the populace to cherish their shared identity as "children of Malaysia" by abandoning enmity and embracing honorable camaraderie instead. The statement was released after the National Catholic Pastoral Conference held in Sibu, Sarawak, from September 9 to 13, which gathered 1,000 Catholic delegates including cardinal, archbishop, priest, pastor, nun, and community leaders from Peninsular, Sabah, and Sarawak.

Among the issues discussed were family life, youth, environment, charity, and nation-building efforts.