‘Kalau cubit kanan, kiri sakit; cubit kiri, kanan sakit’: One community’s pain is everyone’s concern — Premier

Abang Johari (sixth left) officiating the TOBC 4.0 in Miri on July 4, 2026. Source: Ukas

By Emily Ruran

MIRI, July 4: Appreciating and respecting each other’s cultures is key to preserving Sarawak’s unity and peaceful coexistence, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said cultural events should go beyond showcasing traditions, stressing that genuine appreciation for one another’s heritage enables people of different backgrounds to live together harmoniously.

Drawing on the Malay proverb ‘kalau cubit kanan, kiri sakit; kalau cubit kiri, kanan sakit’ (if one side is pinched, the other feels the pain), Abang Johari said issues affecting one community would ultimately affect everyone.

“Of course, we want to show our culture and our tradition. But the most important thing is to appreciate the culture and the tradition.

“With that appreciation, we can live together and respect each other,” he said when officiating at the Taste of Borneo Cultural Carnival (TOBC) 4.0 here tonight, which was streamed live by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).

Abang Johari said the cultural performances by participants during the event reflected the State’s unique way of life, where communities proudly celebrated their respective cultures while respecting one another.

He said such unity and mutual appreciation allowed people to work together and share the benefits of development.

“In other places, they fight. And they cannot enjoy life. But here in Sarawak, we can practise our culture, our beliefs and develop our State for the benefit of everybody,” he said.

Abang Johari also commended the organisers for expanding the carnival over the years from a Borneo-focused event to one involving participants from Brunei, Indonesia, and China, which reflected Sarawak’s openness in fostering friendship and cultural exchanges with neighbouring countries.

“Let us preserve the prosperity we have, the unity we have, and the mutual respect we have for one another. Let us build Sarawak as a model for this region,” he said.

Also present were Minister of Works Malaysia, Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi; Minister of Transport Sarawak, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Malaysia, Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni; Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Regional Development Agencies Coordination, DBKU, and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Deputy Minister for Women, Children, and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak (Women and Children Development), Datuk Rosey Yunus; Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang; Miri Resident Galong Luang; TOBC Chief Coordination Ambassador Dato Hii King Chiong; and TOBC Presiding Chairman Harry Lee. — DayakDaily