By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Oct 26: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg took a swipe at some Pakatan Harapan leaders who had visited Sarawak as guests of the state but were driven to tear down the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.
This especially those who openly declared their intent to take over Sarawak at the next state election.
“The Malay culture is very refined. When you come as guests you must be respectful to your hosts, but some people come over here and ‘attack’ us. This is not Malay culture. Malay culture is very refined,” he said at the Temasya Warisan Old Kuching Smart Heritage (OKSHE) 2019 at Padang Merdeka, here, today.
He was referring several Pakatan leaders during the recent Malaysia Day celebration, had told their audiences that they would take over Sarawak at the next state election due 2021.
On a separate issue, Abang Johari also assured that the heritage of all ethnic groups in Sarawak, including their buildings and arts would be safeguarded under the proposed Heritage Ordinance 2019.
The chief minister stressed that the enactment of the ordinance was timely so that each ethnic groups would work hard to preserve their heritage, arts and culture.
“We are very fortunate because we are having many colourful heritage here in Sarawak which is the foundation of our unity and to ensure that we can move forward to develop our respective heritage. We have the Ibans, the Bidayuhs, Orang Ulus, the Chinese and other races where we have lived in peace and harmony all this while.
“They have their own heritage. The Ibans strengthening their heritage; so too with the Chinese community in keeping their beautiful heritage. This is also the case of the Orang Ulus, the Bidayuhs and other ethnic groups.
“The Malays as one of the ethnic groups in Sarawak must also preserve our heritage. Today, I’m very proud seeing so many young (Malay) youth who are keen in preserving the silat and hadrah which are part and parcel of our daily life.
“The GPS government, which I lead, will defend all cultures of people. And I don’t want the Malay culture to be sidelined. So, we develop our respective cultures,” he said.
Abang Johari pointed out that the silat was not merely the art of self-defence but also entailed discipline, hard work, respect of the elders and the love of their religions.
“When you learn silat, you must possess strong kuda-kuda (internal force). Besides that, it entails acquiring new knowledge which is relevant in our daily lives.
“This is the spirit that must be possessed by the Malay community. Don’t lose out. I believe if the spirit of silat is in the hearts of all the Malays, we will succeed,” he said, to thunderous applause from the crowd.
The Chief Minister said in order to leap forward, the Malay community must be willing to focus on education which is the key to success.
“Similarly, if you play the hadrah, you must beat it properly, otherwise the sound will be out of tune.
“When it is played well, it will sound melodious and sweet to the ears. Likewise, if we work hard, like the sound of the melodious hadrah, we will surely succeed in future,” he stressed. — DayakDaily
