By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 25: Sarawak’s unwavering dedication to fostering unity and harmony has made it a shining example for others to emulate, which never fails to be reflected, including during this Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Dato Sri Nancy Shukri emphasised that Sarawak has always been a role model of unity in Malaysia.
“There is no problem in Sarawak which has always upheld unity. If you read statements from leaders of the past even during Tun Rahman’s (Tun Datuk Patinggi Abdul Rahman Ya’kub) time until today, we have always prioritised unity.
“We have proven that. Even the federal government uses Sarawak and Sabah as a role model,” she told reporters at her Hari Raya open house which was also visited by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang at Wisma Sabati here today.
Nancy added that Sarawak’s unity was rooted in its diversity, which included cross-marriages between people of different ethnicities and religious groups.
“Our asset is our unity in diversity. Moreover, Kuching has been recognised as the City of Unity. We must maintain these multi-religious and multi-ethnics values. It is our way of life and we need to carry on with that.
“It is also reflected at this Raya open house where people from all sorts of backgrounds come together to celebrate,” she said.
The Hari Raya open house also treated more than 1,600 people from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including community-based rehabilitation centres, Desa Bina Diri, Tunas Bakti, and Rumah Kenangan.
“We want them to be together in celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri so they can also feel the joy of the festivities,” she added.
Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah and Federal Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi were among those who visited Nancy’s Hari Raya open house. — DayakDaily
