To talk about unity in diversity among the people may sound a bit of a cliché but it is of paramount important in a multi –racial and multi –religious society like ours that it should not be taken for granted; continuous efforts must be made every now and then to remind the people that unity in diversity is the pillar of the strength of Sarawak and by extension Malaysia.
It is very important that the people comprising diverse ethnic and religious groups with equally diverse and myriad backgrounds must be reminded, to the extent of being repetitive, that as long as there is a good spirit of unity, the State will be able to race forward in pursuing Agenda 2030 not only to attain the status of developed State with high income but to become the most progressive and prosperous state in the country.
The Yang di Pertua Negeri, Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, in his speech during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering, organised by agencies under Majlis Islam Sarawak, said the peace and harmony being enjoyed by the people, are the outcome of the attitude of mutual respect and the spirit of trust among the people of diverse ethnic and religious groups in the State. The people, inspite of their diverse backgrounds can live in peace and harmony among them.
He said in this regards, the people must continue to make efforts to come closer together in serving the people, State and the country. It is the responsibility of all to ensure that this environment will remain strong so that the people, comprising diverse ethnic and religious groups, will remain united and strong in future.
Tun Abdul Taib said this struggle must be made continuous and not for certain period of time only; it has no end. The struggle must be made continuous as the fate of the people, the future of the State, all the good things for the country and the progress of the State hinge on efforts to protect the unity of all races and followers of all religions.
He is happy that Islam has made immense contribution in promoting peace, harmony and unity, which must not only be preserved but strengthened, among the people. Obviously, though Islam is getting solid support from Muslims but the non Muslims do not feel threatened by it.
Tun Abdul Taib said Muslims have share the teachings of Islam to non Muslims to help them to understand that the religion is making sincere efforts to promote unity and solidarity between Muslims and non Muslims.
He is satisfied that Muslims, who have high commitment to spread the teachings of their religion, are not being suspected by non Muslims of carrying activities that could undermine other religions.
For this reason, Islam is not only being practiced by the followers in accordance with its true teachings but being accepted as a religion that preaches peace and other values that promote goodwill and harmony among the people in a multi-racial and multi-religious society.
For this reason, the teachings of Islam do not get any opposition or negative responses from any groups. Obviously the approach being adopted by Muslims in propagating their religion is being accepted by all parties.
Tun Abdul Taib said the people can take pride that Malaysia does not have believers, who can be considered as opposition or waves of anti-Islam.
In Peninsular Malaysia, Islam is the official religion both at the Federal and State levels.
In Sarawak and Sabah, though Islam is not an official religion at the state level, but it is the official religion of the country. The people including non Muslims recognise the official position of Islam in the country.
Generally, the etiquette of Muslims truly reflect that they uphold unity among the people, among the people in the states of Sarawak and Sabah in particular as their level of understanding of the position of the religion is a bit different from those in Peninsular Malaysia.
Tun Abdul Taib said the people in Sarawak do not bother about acknowledging differences between racial and religious groups or the levels of their religious knowledge. Instead, they make conscientious efforts to promote closer relationship between them and followers of other religions.
Tun Abdul Taib paid a glowing tribute to a former Assistant Minister, who looked after Islamic matters in the Chief Minister’s office, who had helped him enormously in spreading the movement of Islam in Sarawak.
The former Assistant Minister, the late Datuk Haji Daud Abdul Rahman, whom Tun Abdul Taib fondly called his friend, passed away less than a month ago from heart complication and after a period of failing health.
The late Datuk Haji Daud Abdul Rahman, while still in service, worked very hard in helping Tun Abdul Taib (then still the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues) to ensure the teachings of Islam could be propagated.
He was most visible in organizing activities to ensure that the movement of Islam would remain active under the Malay leadership in the State Government. Hence, Islam not only got solid support from Muslims but the non Muslims were also comfortable with its activities.
Generally, Muslims have been propagating the teachings of Islam through the concept of sharing knowledge to help the people, including non Muslims to understand Islam as the religion of peace and goodwill among mankind.
Obviously, the approach is being accepted by all parties. Islam is not only being practiced by the followers in accordance with its true teachings but being accepted as a religion that preaches peace and other values that promote goodwill and harmony among the people in a multi-racial and multi religious society.
Besides, stability in politics and economy, the security played an important role to ensure the prosperity of the State. I appeal to all concerned responsible to raise efforts to protect the security and public order in the state. We must ensure that the State remains free from various social problems and negative elements which can impair development.
The negative social problems must be tackled in a more effective manner. The people who are free from social problems have the capability to support development in the State. The development of a strong family institution, the community that cares and responsible must be absorbed at various levels, especially among the new generation.
Tun Abdul Taib appealed to all levels of the society to continue with this unity in diversity because, as long as there is a good spirit of unity, those being carried out by Islam in particular, the State will continue to move forward and get the support and positive roles by all races.
In this regards, the etiquette of Muslims must remain reflective of their desire not only to uphold but strengthen unity among the people comprising diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country, among the people in the state of Sarawak in particular as their level of understanding of the position of the religion is a bit different from those in Peninsular Malaysia.
As Muslims, they were duty – bound to strengthen unity not only among themselves but with followers of other religions to ensure all progress and development can continue to be carried in an orderly manner for common benefits.
In this regards, the people must all realize that a strong unity among the people is a pillar of strength of politics, which must be preserved and strengthen in Sarawak. The people must keep it alive as a movement to promote unity and solidarity among all the races in the State.
Tun Abdul Taib said Sarawak previously had two non – Muslim Chief Ministers. They were followed by the appointments of Muslim Chief Ministers. But the issue of religion has never been raised to trigger a quarrel between Muslims and non – Muslims. The people have been very judicious and careful in adhering to their disciplines and practices, which are not being motivated by strong political sentiments as Muslims.
There have been changes of the Chief Ministers from time to time but the changes have helped to ensure that Sarawak will remain as the State being able to preserve the unity of the people, who have the common understanding to pursue common efforts in development with the support of all concerned.
Generally, the people have allowed things to happen naturally to reflect their wisdom in putting into practice the teaching of their religion with a realization to keep their unity and solidarity and to protect the nation and the State.
Ultimately, the common struggle must be to preserve Sarawak as a peaceful state with the people united among themselves with the full understanding to bring all the races together to become active members of our society of our multi-racial state.
Tun Abdul Taib said the unity and solidarity for peace and harmony during the past 55 years, since Independence through the formation of Malaysia, have been preserved and sustained because the people realize that as long as there is a good spirit of unity among them the State will remain peaceful and stable, which are the essential ingredients for development and progress.
All the progress and development have been carried in an orderly manner; as a consequence, the social development can reflect good interactions among all the races and gets all round support from the people.
Generally, the people must remain resolved to perpetuate this situation for Sarawak to remain as a symbol of unity of all races and the symbol of solidarity at all levels of religions in the State.
The people, regardless of whether they are Muslims or non Muslims, must make it their primary responsibility not only to preserve but strengthen the unity and solidarity that they have achieved, for the Sarawak to surge ahead into the future.
Tun Abdul Taib offered his humble thanks and gratitude to Allah for his blessing that Sarawak remains a peaceful state and makes conscientious efforts to strengthen the confidence of the people of all races as a way to pursue good social development towards the year 2030.
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