Tiang calls for unity through shared festivals

SIBU: Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee has called for more festivals to be celebrated collectively to foster unity among different communities.

Taking the Mid-Autumn Festival as an example, Tiang said the celebration holds as much significance as the Chinese New Year for the Chinese community and it should be shared with others.

“During the celebration, the family, especially our mother, will be busy and go to the market early in the morning to buy ingredients to cook for our dinner, a special meal where all our family members, even those from abroad, come back home to eat together,” he said.

The crowd at the celebration.

Tiang delivers his speech.

He said this in his speech while officiating the Mid-Autumn Festival organised by SIBUfm and Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs) Pelawan at CCK Local here last night (Sept 7).

The Pelawan assemblyman noted that involving others in such celebrations helps to create understanding and strengthens the spirit of unity in a diverse society.

“We need to continue to pass this spirit of unity during celebrations to our future generations. Therefore, I urge NGOs and associations to invite our friends from different races to come and celebrate with us during the festival.

“We are one. Sarawakians celebrate festivals such as Hari Raya, Gawai, and Chinese New Year together,” he added.

Tiang also mentioned Sarawak’s success in hosting the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) recently which made an impression among those from Sabah and West Malaysia after emerging as the overall champion.

“This showcases our ‘agi idup agi ngelaban’ spirit. It would not have been possible without cooperation from all communities, regardless of our backgrounds.

“So, Sarawak has a bright future, as bright as the full moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Sarawak will shine brighter not only because of its strength but because of the unity of its people,” he added.