MIRI: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was inked between Sarawak Islamic Information Centre and Sarawak Chinese Association right after the launching ceremony of the ‘Taste of Borneo 2017’ carnival at Boulevard shopping mall on Sunday evening in Miri. Witnessing the signing of the MoU was Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Datuk Abang Openg who earlier officiated at the launch of the carnival.
The MoU was aimed at promoting greater cooperation in events that could enhance racial harmony and unity whereby the goal was to build a Cultural Village in Miri in the future. Earlier in his launching speech Johari stated that the state government was against any form of extremism especially one that pertains to racial and communal issues. As such any unhealthy racial and communal issue should be avoided in this state.
Johari maintained that Sarawak is a state well known for its inter-racial harmony and unity as shown by the fact that people from diverse racial backgrounds mix and integrate well with each other. This fact has been acknowledged by various professionals including the 1 Malaysia Foundation trustee Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye who pointed out that Sarawak is an exemplary state in the country pertaining to promotion of racial harmony and unity.
“The plural society members in this state are free to practise any religion or faith of their choice. “We do not forbid the Christians to use the world ‘Allah’. We are also not against Oktoberfest whereas in Semenanjung Malaysia there are problems with the use of ‘Allah’ by Christians as well as holding Oktoberfest.
“We in Sarawak are trying our best to promote solid racial harmony and unity and the government will reject any form of extremism that is happening in West Malaysia.
We will not allow this kind of culture to infiltrate into Sarawak,” the Chief Minister pointed out at the event’s launch held at shopping mall. Johari also stressed the importance of doing things together in cooperation and mutual tolerance to maintain unity and harmony in this state.
“This will become our uniqueness and strength as we move forward in peace and harmony,” said Johari. Also present during the event were Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Tourism Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Mi r i Resident Sherina Hussani, Mayor of Miri City Council Adam Yii, Organising Committee Advisor Datuk Hi i King Chiong and President of Sarawak Chinese Association Ting Pang Soon.
