KOTA KINABALU: A viral video of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal attending the thanksgiving gathering of his Parti Warisan Sabah colleague, Datuk Liew Vui Keong, is not a big deal.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Azis Jamman said this in response to a video circulating on social media of Shafie attending the gathering at Liew’s private residence here on Saturday (July 7).

“There may be some in peninsular Malaysia who do not understand that this is how we live in Sabah.We have been living in harmony despite our different race and religion. It is not a problem for us … not a big deal at all,” he said, when contacted on Tuesday (July 10).

The Warisan youth chief said he too was invited to the gathering, but could not make it as he was attending a programme in his constituency of Sepanggar.

“As the Chief Minister, Shafie attended the thanksgiving gathering as a show of respect towards Liew, who was appointed Federal Minister recently.

“Yes, there were people singing (hymns) there. But to me, it is similar to carolling. As a Muslim, Shafie respected his host, but he did not join in the prayers.

“Furthermore, he was not the only Muslim at the gathering. Many party members from different faiths, including Muslims, were also there,” he explained.

Many netizens praised Shafie, who is Warisan president, for showcasing the harmonious nature of Sabah by attending the gathering, amid criticism from certain quarters, including the “Friends of BN – Barisan Nasional” Facebook page.