KUCHING, June 7: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii and Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei went to Kampung Sekama Utara, here, today for Hari Raya visits.
Apart from joining in the festivities, the two Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders also took the opportunity to enhance ties and relationship with the villagers.
Dr Yii emphasised in a media release today that festive celebrations such as Gawai and Hari Raya Aidilfitri could unite the people.
“People of different races and religions visit one another, celebrate together and, at the same time, foster bonds of friendship and understanding with one another. Such practices should be encouraged further during every festive season,” he said.
More importantly, Dr Yii pointed out this festive season was extra special this year as today also marked the Dragon Boat Festival or Duanwu Festival, which is observed by the Chinese community throughout the world.
“While people of different cultures in our community celebrate significant cultural festivals, but if we look closer, there are often similarities that can bring us all together.
“The Malays celebrating Hari Raya are enjoying `ketupat’, which is rice wrapped in young palm leaves, while the Chinese celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival enjoyed the rice dumplings, which is glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings wrapped in bamboo leaves,” he highlighted.
In Sarawak’s rich cultural diversity and unique traditions, Dr Yii reminded that the people could always find similarities in differences.
“This helped in bringing cultures together and forging bonds of friendship among one another, as we appreciate the similarities in our diversities even more,” he opined.
During the Raya visits, Dr Yii and Wong also took the opportunity to listen to the concerns and complaints of the villagers.
“The villagers are seriously concern about the rising water level and flash flood occurrence in their areas as it has been raining heavily the past two days,” he revealed.
Dr Yii shared that a major flood hit the area in 2015 with waist-deep floodwaters and damaged houses, properties and belongings.
“We will continue to give feedback to the local council on the drainage issues in the village as well as follow up with the relevant authorities, including DID (Department of Irrigation and Drainage) on finding long-term solutions to mitigate flood problem in the area,” he assured. — DayakDaily
