By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 23: Harmony has long been Sarawak’s defining strength and identity, and it must not be compromised for political attention or popularity.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, said all parties, particularly political leaders, must act responsibly when raising sensitive issues that could unsettle public harmony.
“If there are such claims, I would ask: what is the real intention behind them? If it is merely for political gain, then that reflects a very shallow form of political etiquette. This is not the kind of politics we should emulate.
“We are moving forward at a time when we should be focusing on positive agendas that drive progress, not revisiting matters that create anxiety and pull us backwards,” he said when speaking to reporters after officiating the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Publishing Briefing and the launch of the book Agenda Pemikiran Hazami Jahari, held at the Sultan Iskandar Building today.
He was commenting on remarks by a politician alleging that a past agreement existed on Malay precedence for the post of Sarawak Chief Minister.
Abdullah stressed that while history should be respected as a guide, certain issues should not be revived in ways that risk disturbing the harmony of Sarawak’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.
He added that the priority now is to ensure future generations inherit a Sarawak that is peaceful, progressive, developed, and competitive.
He warned that the spread of such narratives on social media could lead to confusion, defamation, and mistrust, ultimately undermining social cohesion.
“Sarawak is a multi-ethnic region, the most diverse in the country, and we respect all cultures and religions. That is the most beautiful face of Sarawak, and it is something we must safeguard.
“It is not only our economic and development achievements we should be proud of, but also our identity as Sarawakians who value peace and harmony,” he said. — DayakDaily
