KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has expressed his sadness that the country has not been able to channel its energy towards overall progress.
He said there are leaders who desperately use racial and religious issues to divide the plural society simply to gain political support.
Following this, he called on the people not to be complacent and engage in fights that tend to lead to religious, ethnic, racial, or regional division.
He said that if people constantly doubt each other, and are always engaged in fights, their energy and thoughts are only directed towards denying and defeating the opposing side.
“If we are suspicious of each other and constantly fighting, then our energy and thoughts are only focused on denying and defeating the opponent.
“I feel somewhat saddened because lately the nation hasn’t been able to channel its energy towards overall progress.
“This is certainly not good for the country when the world is struggling with various problems, particularly the Covid-19 pandemic, war, and global climate change.
“In conjunction with this year’s National Day Celebration, let us all try to understand that the interests of the country are above all other interests.
“The country needs a strong government to shoulder the responsibility of planning a clear economic direction towards making Malaysia a high-income country so that independence gives us true meaning,” he said at the state-level National Day celebration in Mukah yesterday.
In the span of 66 years since attaining independence, Abang Johari said it cannot be denied that much progress has been achieved by the country, and Sarawak, as part of Malaysia, when compared to other nations in the region.
Aligned with the theme of National Day and Malaysia Day 2023, “Malaysia MADANI: Tekad Perpaduan Penuhi Harapan,” he expressed hope that Malaysia will remain stable, with its people continuing to strive for unity as the harmony of the people is the pillar of the country’s progress.
“The people of Malaysia should truly understand the meaning of freedom, which brings the meaning of freedom to determine our direction and fate as a sovereign nation.
He added that the political stability and integrity of the Sarawak government under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) administration have given the state the room to chart a clear direction.
He said this is evident in terms of economic development, particularly through the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
The state-level National Day celebration was graced by acting Head of State Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohammad Asfia Awang Nassar.
Among those present were Asfia’s wife Puan Sri Datin Amar Fatimah Iskandar, Abang Johari’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Women, Early Childhood and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki, as well as state cabinet ministers and dignitaries.
