Sports as ultimate unifier: ‘We don’t see Chong Wei as Chinese, Pandelela as Bidayuh, but Malaysians fighting for nation’s glory’

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By Karen Bong and Chris Bishop

KUCHING, Aug 21: Sports is the most unifying tool, transcending barriers and bridging divides to bring Malaysians together like nothing else can because when national athletes like Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Dato Pandelela Rinong Pamg step into their arenas, they are not seen by their individual backgrounds, but as Malaysians fighting for the nation’s glory.

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that sports truly unites Malaysians and fosters shared pride that extends beyond borders, even reaching neighbouring countries such as Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.

“When former national shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei steps onto the badminton court, he’s not seen as a Chinese player from Penang but as a Malaysian fighting for the nation’s glory.

“Similarly, when national diving queen from Sarawak Dato Pandelela Rinong Pamg makes a dive, she is not just a Bidayuh or a Sarawakian; she is a Malaysian representing the country on the global stage,” he said.
He made these remarks when speaking at the 21st Malaysian Games (Sukma) Sarawak 2024 dinner, celebrating unity through sportsmanship, at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) tonight which was attended by Crown Prince of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj.

Abang Johari underscored Sarawak’s commitment to enhancing unity in Malaysia, including neighbouring countries, through sports, noting its potential to promote peace, tolerance, and understanding.

“For Sarawak, if we are given the opportunity and (it is) within our capability and ability, Sarawak is willing to contribute for the sake of country,” he said in reiterating Sarawak’s willingness and readiness to co-host the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games with Peninsular Malaysia in 2027.

Abang Johari also acknowledged Malaysia Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh for her trust in Sarawak to host Sukma 2024.

“We are ready to develop sports in Malaysia. Thank you, Hannah, for your confidence. When Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim suggested Sarawak as a co-host for the SEA Games, I quickly saw the opportunity and agreed. Sarawak is committed to supporting the development of sports in our country,” he reaffirmed.

Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu were among those present. — DayakDaily

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