Harmonious ethnic jigsaw of 27 groups leads Sarawak’s 61 years of progress through unity, solidarity

Dr Sim (third left) presenting a memento to Poh after officiating the interfaith thanksgiving prayer ceremony organised by Unifor at Bintulu Civic Centre on July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

BINTULU, July 20: Sarawak society, resembling a beautiful jigsaw puzzle of about 27 ethnic groups, owes its progress over the past 61 years to the vital pursuit of unity and solidarity, which must continue to be safeguarded, for without both, the jigsaw puzzle will never be complete.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian reminded that without unity and solidarity, Sarawak would not have progressed from 61 years ago to the thriving and harmonious community people see and enjoy today.

“Visionary leadership coupled with multi-racial harmonious society are key pillars contributing to nation-building.

“Peace, harmony, solidarity, and unity must always be our top agenda as they are among the pillars of a developed region,” he said in his text speech when addressing the interfaith thanksgiving prayer ceremony held in conjunction with the 2024 Sarawak Day celebration in Bintulu Civic Centre today.

Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, stressed the crucial role of religious leaders in conveying messages of tolerance within their respective communities.

“Unity in diversity is our strength where our communities from various cultures, religious beliefs and social statuses coexist in peace and harmony, which is what makes Sarawak unique.

“This effort is essential to advancing Sarawak into a progressive and respected region by 2030, ” he said.

Some 500 attendees at the interfaith thanksgiving prayer ceremony in conjunction with Sarawak Day held at Bintulu Civic Centre on July 20, 2024. Photo credit: Ukas

He affirmed that the strong bond among the diverse community in Sarawak is evidenced by the success of this ceremony, which saw full and lively participation of some 500 people from various religions and races.

Furthermore, Sarawak is the only region in Malaysia that holds an interfaith thanksgiving ceremony annually, reflecting not only its distinctive and harmonious cultural heritage but also serving as a reminder that such a peaceful way of life should be nurtured and carried forward by future generations.

Dr Sim highlighted that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, under the leadership of Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, is committed to fostering mutual understanding among the diverse cultural and religious communities in Sarawak.

This commitment is demonstrated in the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasises social inclusivity as one of the determining factors in measuring the index of racial and religious unity and tolerance in Sarawak.

“The Premier calls for the cooperation of all Sarawakians, including heads of religions, to work together in ensuring that social inclusivity and religious harmony thrive within our communities,” he reminded.

Organised by Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), the ceremony featured interfaith prayers from six religious bodies; Baha’i, Hindu, Christian, Tao, Buddhist and Sikh.

Archbishop Dr Simon Poh led the opening prayers, followed by prayers from other houses of worships including Tahirrih Sebastian for Baha’i, Aden Lee (Buddhist), Krishnarao @Prabhu (Hindu), Revd Fr Walter Macdaniel Nakan (Christian), Gurdial Singh (Sikh) and Nigel Bong (Tao).

Deputy Minister of Public Health and Housing, who was in charge of this ceremony, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration) Datu Buckland Bangik, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee, Unifor director Dato Georgina Apphia Ngau and Bintulu Division Resident Nyurak Keti were present. — DayakDaily