Dr Sim: Nation-building must be rooted in unity, fairness and positivity

KUCHING (Feb 19): Nation-building must be grounded in unity, fairness, and positive narratives rather than constant negativity and division, said Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

Speaking at the Chinese New Year open house hosted by Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang here yesterday, Dr Sim said Sarawak has long exemplified genuine unity, especially during festive celebrations.

“This is the spirit of Sarawak. During Chinese New Year, everyone goes around for open houses.

“You don’t need an invitation, everyone can come. You see people of different religions and races sitting together, eating together, drinking together, and getting fat together,” he told reporters at Lo’s residence here.

He stressed that such togetherness reflects the true meaning of nation-building, which should not be driven by divisive politics or extreme views.

“Nation-building is about everyone coming together. It is not divisive, not extreme, and not about politicking all the time,” he said.

Dr Sim noted that the next five years would be critical for Sarawak as the state continues to grow rapidly, making it essential to preserve its long-standing spirit of solidarity.

“Chinese New Year is a time to say good things, not a time to be negative. Hopefully these positive narratives can carry forward for the rest of the year,” he said.

He observed that negative news often overshadows positive developments, both locally and globally.

“When an area floods, the whole of Sarawak knows. But when flooding is reduced or does not happen, nobody says anything,” he said, adding that the same imbalance can be seen in public perceptions of hospitals.

“Millions of people go through hospitals. Thousands of babies are born every year, and hundreds of thousands of patients leave alive.

“Nobody thanks them. But when there is one complaint, the whole world knows,” he said.

He emphasised that recognising achievements does not mean ignoring shortcomings.

“Good things, we should say. Bad things, we should also say. But it must be fair. Nation-building is about moving forward positively, not backwards negatively,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lo highlighted Sarawak’s strong focus on education as a cornerstone of long-term development.

“We are very fortunate because in 2026, our children are able to receive free tertiary education.

“This is wonderful news for every parent, because education used to be a burden for many parents,” he said.

He added that the policy reflects the leadership’s commitment to human capital development, regardless of race or religion.

“We want engineers, doctors, accountants, and scientists. That is the way to develop a nation,” he said.

Lo urged Sarawakians to continue working hard and avoid complacency, stressing that the state’s progress would benefit the nation as a whole.

“When Sarawak prospers, Malaysia prospers. Let us work together so that Sarawak prospers,” he said.