By Amanda L
KUCHING, Oct 24: Politicians should stop exploiting racial and religious differences to win support, says Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, warning that such tactics undermine Sarawak’s social harmony.
He said Sarawak’s multicultural society depended on mutual respect among people of different ethnicities and faiths, which should not be sacrificed for political gain.
“Race and religion have always been manipulated by politicians, unfortunately, to win support,” he said.
He said this at the opening of the Zhao An Folk Culture Seminar, held in conjunction with the Sarawak Zhao An Association’s 90th anniversary celebration at Imperial Hotel Kuching today
He said some politicians sought to strengthen their support within their respective communities by emphasising differences with other groups rather than promoting understanding across ethnic and religious lines.
In this regard, Abdul Karim rejected attempts to label Chinese Sarawakians as pendatang (immigrants), saying the community was an integral part of Sarawak’s diverse cultural fabric.
“This is the Sarawak community. The beauty of Sarawak lies in its different races and cultures living together, each with their own traditions and beliefs,” he said.
He said preserving this diversity required continued mutual respect and appreciation of each community’s heritage.
Pointing to the Chinese community’s longstanding presence in Sarawak, Abdul Karim cited Chinese temples across the State and historical Chinese burial grounds in Kuching as evidence of its deep-rooted history.
Beyond social cohesion, he said Sarawak’s multicultural character also strengthened its tourism appeal, as visitors sought authentic cultural experiences that allowed them to appreciate local heritage and traditions. — DayakDaily
