According to Chinese belief, moon cake is one of the traditional Chinese cake eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Moon cake are considered a delicacy important at the time, according to “Li-Ji”, an ancient Chinese book recording customs and ceremonies, the Chinese Emperor should offer sacrifices to the sun in spring and the moon in autumn. Moon cake are offered between friends or family gatherings while celebrating the festival, one of the three most important Chinese festival. Moon cake celebration will be held on 19th September this year.
Recently PAS Miri together with DHPP (PAS Supporters Congress) Miri distribute moon cakes to the Chinese community in the Senadin, around the Miri city and also Niah, Sibuti. Distribution of this moon cake was headed by the secretary of DHPP Mr Yeo Kian Leong, especially for the Chinese community around the shopping complex, bazaar in the Miri city and Sibuti.
Mr Yeo Kian Leong, a Chinese who is committed with the struggle of PAS, which he helps a lot PAS shed light on the struggle of PAS to the Chinese community.
The acceptance of Chinese communities on PAS are encouraging and they accept PAS as a party that can accept all groups regardless of race and religion. Although at first they are quite scared by the presence of PAS, but after they get to know PAS with the activities of the PAS with the local, this enabling them to know more closely about PAS’s struggle.
When we know each other and understand the customs and cultures of various races then there is no racial problem. This is what the PAS want to expose to the Chinese community and the non-Muslims that Islam calls for peace so that they know that PAS is not forcing them to convert to Islam as claimed by some people who do not like PAS.
The question of faith is a personal right of the individual not be forced, but because there are some people who are afraid of losing power and position and willing to do libel against PAS so that the Chinese and non-Muslim community do not support or cooperate with PAS.
Although various slanders and bad accusations given by opponents of PAS but the communities who have known PAS not easily enticed with the sedition those who do not like the presence of PAS in the state. We hope that the Chinese and the non-Muslims can cooperate with PAS because PAS is not only an Islamic party but more to the party who fought for justice for all groups regardless of race and religion. Similarly, the local Muslim Malay communities is still scared or not ready to be with PAS should feel ashamed of non-Muslims who dare to fight with PAS.
The presence of PAS to Sarawak not to divide the people of all races and religions as claimed by some quarters but more to unite the communities and upholding justice for all as required by Islam. Moral issues championed by PAS focuses on the Muslim community who have moral problems among Muslim youth and not to divide the Muslim community in Sarawak, but only to save their faith that was beginning to deviate from true Islamic teachings.
In respect with the moral and social problems among Muslim youth, PAS is very concerned with this issue that is why PAS does not encourage the Muslims especially Muslim youth involved with extreme entertainment that can damage their beliefs and their way of life. This is not purely a political issue but rather an advice to all, especially young Muslims not to get caught up with the social problems that can ruin their future. So understand the real purpose of PAS, it is not just playing a political issue but all issues affecting the people, especially the people who are oppressed and need help. We will continue to fight for the fate of the people, in order to upholding justice for all.
Yours faithfully
Jofri Jaraiee
PAS Sarawak Deputy Commissioner iii cum PAS Miri Chief
