By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 21: Sarawak’s unity must be safeguarded and never politicised, as misunderstandings between communities could undermine the State’s long-standing social harmony, says Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.
He said Sarawak’s harmony should not be taken lightly, especially as it had been built over generations.
“Sarawak has always been known for its multicultural harmony, built on mutual respect and trust among its people.
“This hard-earned unity must be protected. Issues should not be unnecessarily politicised, and social stability should never be compromised for short-term political gain,” he said following his walkabout over the past two days in Sibu in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration, where he visited residents as part of his festive engagements.
Tiong, who is also the assemblyman for Dudong and Bintulu MP, said informal visits to people’s homes often provided deeper insights into the real challenges faced by communities on the ground.
“Conversations in a humble home setting often reveal perspective and realities that formal meetings do not,” he said.
According to him, such engagements helped ensure that policies and plans were aligned with actual community needs and realities.
Tiong added that the visits also served as a reminder that policies must translate into tangible outcomes for the people.
“Visiting old friends during the New Year is more than a tradition, as it helps maintain and keeps me rooted to the local community,” he said.
He also stressed that the people’s interests must always take precedence over political differences.
“Regardless of party affiliation, the people’s interests must come first. We must avoid creating unnecessary misunderstandings between communities or differing political views, and preserve a rational and inclusive society.
“Within the party as well, unity and cooperation remain the foundation of steady progress. Our priority should be serving the people and advancing development and matters, not getting caught up in unproductive political disputes,” he added. — DayakDaily
