By DayakDaily Team
KRIAN, Nov 14: Community, racial, and religious issues should not be exploited as political ammunition—especially in Sarawak, where people from different backgrounds live together harmoniously.
Speaking on his attendance at a ‘meet the people’ programme organised by the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Krian branch at Dewan Rumah Dayak Saratok, federal Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, said that in politics, it is common to encounter various requests and local issues which may not necessarily be resolved immediately.
“However, we must be willing to compromise, listen, and continue seeking solutions. If something cannot be resolved today, we should not be afraid to acknowledge it and must keep trying until we find a solution.
“We should not constantly turn every community, racial or religious issue into political ammunition. Sarawak, particularly Krian, is strong because people from different backgrounds can live together harmoniously. This is the kind of unity we must preserve,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Tiong, who is also PDP president and the incumbent assemblyman for Dudong and MP for Bintulu, called on party members and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties to be honest, sincere, and offer their full support.
“Elections come every five years, but our responsibility and trust towards the people are continuous. We must each fulfil our respective duties. We should not focus solely on power but instead prioritise the interests of the people and the State,” he said.
He called on everyone to continue working with the people and to stand together to safeguard their interests.
“Unity is evident when people of different races, religions, and backgrounds can sit together, exchange views, and live harmoniously with mutual respect,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking in his capacity as the federal minister overseeing tourism matters in the country, he said that it is his responsibility to bring more tourists to Malaysia, including Sarawak.
“I am not alone in this effort, as Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah) is also working hard towards the same goal.
“Only when tourism flourishes can economic opportunities and its benefits be shared among the people. This requires cooperation from all parties,” he said. — DayakDaily
