KOTA KINABALU - The proposed construction of the Mazu statue in Kudat, which was opposed by certain parties in the state, should be seen from a positive point of view, such as economic growth, and not as a religious issue.
Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Tadin said the Mazu statue construction project should be seen as a positive contribution to the state's economy whereby the locals would benefit through business activities such as producing handicraft products, food and more to be sold to foreign tourists.
"Of course there are pros and cons, but we need to look at it from a broad perspective, especially in terms of economic returns via tourism sectors, which can help develop the state's economy and the locals.
"The Mazu statue construction would not stop Muslims practising their religion because similar statues had been built in other states, such as Kelantan and Penang, but did not impact the lives of Muslims there.
"It was also understood that the developer of the project would construct the Mazu statue without blocking the view of the existing district mosque," he said in a statement today.
Previously, the Mazu statue construction proposal had been opposed by several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including the United Sabah Islamic Association (Usia).
The Mazu statue would be the tallest in the world at 33 metres when completed and would be a huge tourist attraction in Kudat after the Tip of Borneo, Simpang Mengayau, Bung added.
"Of course it will bring changes in terms of increasing the community's economic resources. Like in China, millions of tourists came to the mainland area just to see the Quan Yin statue, so it's not impossible for Sabah to attract a large number of tourists from abroad every year to visit the Mazu statue in Kudat.
"From a positive viewpoint, the statue will certainly give economic returns to the state, where one of the main sources of income is through the tourism sector," he said.
The Kinabatangan MP hoped that the state government would consider approving the Mazu statue construction project.
"If the state government sees this project as capable of generating the state's economy through the tourism sector, then it needs to be given due consideration, and the narrow sentiments that hinder 'Sabah Maju Jaya' need to be put aside," he said.