By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 31: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that differing perspectives on the significance of Aug 31 between Sarawak, Sabah, and Peninsular Malaysia should not hinder mutual respect or the collective effort to build a progressive nation.
Speaking during the National Day celebration in Sibu, which was streamed live via the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) Facebook page today, Abang Johari highlighted the importance of respecting the date as a significant occasion for those in Peninsular Malaysia, as well as for the country as a whole.
“It is as they respect Sept 16 date, which is not only an important for Sarawak and Sabah, but also the country as whole,” he said.
Abang Johari also thanked the Federal government for agreeing to the different view of the significance of the date including changing its celebration from Independence Day to National Day since 2015.
He opined that the date should no longer be polemicised but instead respected and understood by everyone in the country.
“This will enable us to continue to focus on building the country. We must move forward together and not be swayed by such sentiment including ignoring our shared responsibility to the country,” he added. — DayakDaily
