KUCHING, Sept 24: Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin commented that the 17th Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival (17KIMF) should be listed in the Sarawak Tourism Calendar of Events to promote it to foreign tourists, including those from China.
“I am happy to note that there is a cultural group from China participating in the event. We hope to see more promotions in future to attract more visitors to this unique Sarawak event,” he said after attending the 17KIMF last night.
Saying that the festival could also enhance the state’s colourful and harmonious cultures, Lee added that the state government was always supportive of such events.
“We would like to ensure that Sarawak will always remain as a model in Malaysia in terms of unity and religious harmony, where mutual respect and understanding always prevail.
“We must always stay united to safeguard our peace and unity and never allow any undue negative influence from inside or outside to jeopardise them,” he stressed.
Lee said there had never been any instance in the state where one group forced their ideology or religion on others, and this positive scenario must be safeguarded, too.
In Miri, for instance, there is a church and a mosque sitting side-by-side and share their parking space with each other on days of gathering.
“On Sundays, churchgoers can park their cars at the mosque grounds and vice versa during Friday prayers,” he said. — DayakDaily
