KUCHING, Oct 26: Indian Penghulu of Kuching Lucy Lingam expresses pride to be part and parcel of the Sarawak government where the Indian community, although small, is recognised, where their contributions mattered and their presence, cherished.
She also expressed gratitude to Unit for Other Religion (Unifor) for the support it rendered to Indian temple construction throughout Sarawak.
“The government under the esteemed leadership of the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Abang Haji Openg particularly has been a boon for the Indian community in Sarawak.
“His choice of Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Embas to lead the Unifor is particularly inspired as through this unit all non-muslim Sarawakians can be seen to benefit immensely.
“And with his (Abang Johari’s) attention and foresightedness, Indians throughout the state have benefited tremendously,” said Lucy in a press statement, today.
Lucy noted that the Indian community in Sibu are currently building a temple with the kind assistance from all leaders, including Unifor. The same has gone to Miri, where the Indian community are building a temple and the Miri Indian Association building.
“In Kuching we will be seeing a newly built Sri Maha Mariamman Temple on Jalan Rock in the coming year or so and our Sikh brothers and sisters will see the expansion of the Iconic Gurduwara in Kuching City Cenrtal.
“All in all, we can see a government that truly cares for our community and on this day of triumph of good over evil, I ask all of us Hindus and Sikhs to continue to give our full support and cooperation to the state government in realising the dream of a developed Sarawak by the year 2030,” said Lucy.
She also called for all Indian community to unite and lift this good government to heights never seen before.
“Let us Sarawak Indians lead the way in social harmony with the rest of our Sarawakian brethren, and let us all sing the Sarawak anthem with pride and take with us the meaning of the song as Sarawak is our land (Sarawak Tanah Airku), Our country, our birthright and now it is truly our motherland (Ibu Petiwiku).”
Meanwhile, Lucy also took the opportunity to thank the Sarawak government for the two-days school leave announced in conjunction with Deepavali festival.
According to Lucy, who is also known as Paliani Samba Bilaidom, the Indian community were pleased that the Education Department had also advised all schools with Indian students in their population to reschedule their respective year end examinations so that they will not interfere with the holidays and that the students will not be disadvantaged in any way in preparation for them.
She also thanked Minister of Welfare, Community Well-Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah for helping the Indian community with the correspondence to the education authorities.
“We also thank her for the provisions made by her ministry to give our special aid (Sejambak Kasih Deepavali) to the needy of the Indian community in Sarawak,” she added. — DayakDaily
