Differences of opinion should not lead to division

KUCHING, Sept. 17: The people of Sarawak from different ethnic groups are urged to continue appreciating the cultural diversity and harmony of society and not allowing differences of opinion to be a source of division.

Sarawak Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, said that differences of opinion and attitudes are common in democratic societies, but they should not lead to enmity or division.

"Sarawak is a common home for all its inhabitants regardless of race, language or cultural background, with every individual settled in the state becoming part of the Sarawak extended family", he said.

He said this in the text of a speech read by South Kuching Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, who represented him at the Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival 2026, here, last night.

Dr Sim said that the people must work together to preserve cultural diversity, strengthen community harmony and support state development, as well as defend Sarawak's rights and proper autonomy within the Federation of Malaysia.

At the same time, he urged people to remain rational and calm in the face of rapid development of information technology and not allow street politics or external elements to exploit racial, religious and cultural differences to provoke conflict.

He said that the unity of people of different races must continue to be strengthened to ensure that future generations grow up in a safe, stable, prosperous and united environment and are proud to be Sarawak citizens.

"In a family, we can have different opinions, but family members cannot hurt each other, let alone allow others to divide the family", she says.