BY SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA& MARGARET RINGGIT
MIRI: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has reiterated the importance of not allowing Malaya based parties to operate in Sarawak.
He said it is to protect Sarawak’s culture and harmony as there is no racial differences in the state.
“We can mix with each other freely and easily, there are no racial differences. If a Malay were to use chopsticks in Malaya, they would say that this Malay ‘sudah masuk Cina’ (have converted to Chinese).
“Over here, it is not an issue because after all you use chopstick to eat. Our culture is very refined and that is why we cannot allow Malaya based parties to come here because we want to protect Sarawak’s culture,” he said.
He said this when declaring open the here on Tuesday (Nov 8). Riam Hill International Secondary School.
Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak is the only state to recognise the Unified Examinations Certificate (UEC).
“We were promised that the federal government will recognise the UEC, but until today ‘nadai bisi (where got in Iban).
“However, Sarawak recognises it because we value Mandarin speaking students who will interact with the international economy like China. This is why we are seeing many Bumiputera students attending Chinese schools,” he said.
