There was no intention to show any disrespect towards any religion: Madius

Press Statement By YB Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, Sabah Deputry Chief Minister / Minister of Trade and Industry,

Kota Kinabalu, July 31, 2019.: “The police have already taken my statement in response to the various police reports that had been lodge against me concerning the posting that I had made on the 21 July 2019 in my FB Page.

I am confident that the police will investigate this matter fairly and professionally.

I have given my full cooperation and have also forwarded the relevant documents in supporting and explaining my posting. The documents that I am referring to is a memorandum that has been given to me many years ago when I was a student leader.

I have explained to the police of what had transpired at that time and the action that I had taken after receiving the memorandum.

However, as this is still a police investigation I therefore could not share the contents of the memorandum.

What is important for me to emphasise is that the intention of the posting was only as a reminder for us all on the regretful action of individuals and never about other religion. It is also a posting for us all to appreciate that currently we have a Chief Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal who has shown his concern and care for the well-being of the churches.

There was no intention nor was there anything in my posting to show my disrespect towards any religion. I have always believed in, supported and promoted the harmonious relation between different faith and races in this country. This is corroborated by the steps that as the President of UPKO, I established the Biro Agama dan Keharmonian Kaum UPKO in 2014. And I am proud that Sabah has always been look up to as a fine example of such respect and tolerance between people of different faith.

It is therefore my hope that we could now move on from this episode and to always remain true to ourselves in protecting the uniqueness, beauty and the special bond that binds us all in Sabah through mutual respect and understanding.”