To all racial and religious bigots, go eat your heart out; Abang Jo is the World Outstanding Muslim Leader 2024

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To all racial and religious bigots, go eat your heart out; Abang Jo is the World Outstanding Muslim Leader 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, March 1, 2025: Sarawak premier Abang Jo has received the World Outstanding Muslim Leader 2024 Award.

And the Malaysian who should learn from Abang Jo is no other than Malaysia’s 10^th Prime Minister (PMX) Anwar Ibrahim.

And to all the racial and religious bigots, you are all a disgrace to the Muslim community and Islam.

Islam is a religion of peace and there is no necessity to resort to bigotry and racial and religious attacks on non-Muslims to try to be a “real” Muslim.

All politicians and leaders need to do is to serve with honesty and sincerity demi rakyat dan negara (for people and country).

There is no room for racial and religious extremism in multiracial Malaysia because it only threatens national unity and harmony.

It also hinders socio-economic growth for the rakyat dan negara (people and country) as it creates a non-conducive environment for investors, both local and foreign.

Malaysia’s national debt is at more than RM1.4 trillion and all Malaysians, especially political leaders and politicians, should work together to resolve the country’s economic and financial woes.

No News Is Bad News reproduces below the thoughts of  Sarawakian journalist Francis Paul Siah on the award-winning Abang Jo that is being shared on WhatsApp:

MY THOUGHTS BEHIND THIS AWARD FOR OUR PREMIER

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Just received this poster at 2pm today. Allow me to comment.

For Premier Abang Jo to receive such a prestigious award as the “World Most Outstanding Muslim Leader” is an honour to our Sarawak chief executive personally as well as to the people of Sarawak. Congratulations is in order for our Premier. 

What’s really important is this: As a whole, Muslims in this country and in Sarawak in particular are not into religious rhetoric bordering on bigotry and extremism. 

Indeed, this award for Abang Jo is a clear illustration that recognition and legitimacy in the Muslim world do not require a leader to resort to extreme religious rhetoric. 

Instead, qualities such as honesty, sincerity, humility and moderation align more closely with Islamic principles and have a stronger, more lasting impact. 

True leadership is about serving the people with justice and fairness, creating an inclusive society where diverse perspectives are respected while maintaining the core values of Islam. 

On that score, our Sarawak Premier is way ahead of a certain Muslim leader in Malaya who is trying too hard to project himself as the leader of the Muslim world. Overdoing it has backfired and it has caused him to lose the respect and trust of many Malaysians. 

Let me end with this note which I hope will be accepted as a sincere suggestion. I earnestly hope that our man in Putrajaya can take serious lessons from our man in Petra Jaya on how to win the support and trust of the people in a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation. 

Tok Nan said it: Jaga Sarawak baik baik. Abang Jo repeated: Jaga Sarawak, Pok. Sarawak First!

Hence, the top priority of a Malaysian leader, Muslim or otherwise, should be this: “Put Malaysia first. Look after Malaysians first. Take care of our Malaysian family first. Charity must truly begin at home”. 

A great Muslim leader is one who also looks after and cares about the hopes and aspirations of all citizens irrespective of race and religion. A leader who upholds these principles fosters unity, harmony and national progress. 

So, thank you Premier Abang Jo for leading the way.  - fs✍ fs March 1, 2025