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Unity in diversity is our strength: TYT

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KUCHING: Unity in diversity is the greatest thing Malaysia has that other countries cannot keep, and thus must be preserved at all times.

In saying this in his Chinese New Year’s message, Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said one good thing about Malaysia is it has one occasion observed by all.

He said such occasion, in this case Chinese New year, is not only celebrated by the Chinese but also by the Malays, Dayaks, and the Indians.

“We should know this particular practice (of celebrating together) of ours is preserving our racial unity and interaction much more than any other public occasions, which the government has been trying to promote in order to cement the unity between the various races,” he said.

He said he has celebrated Chinese New Year many times and to him, it is the best time to renew ties with his Chinese friends.

“I feel this particular custom of ours…of celebrating Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Gawai Dayak is the best institution to get our multi-racial people to mix well as well as to preserve the legacy that our ancestors have passed down to us,” he pointed out.

He said as time goes by and lifestyle changes, the future children of Sarawak will have the opportunity to realise that they come from people who have successfully preserved their own unique cultural heritage.

“We are in the position to be able to understand that mixing up the races does not destroy our culture. In fact, it makes other people understand more of our culture. For many of us who have got goodwill towards other races they feel very comfortable to share meals, to share some other ways of enjoying the celebration between them,” he said.

Taib said it is his hope that the people remain conscious to the fact that this practice of celebrating together has brought about a people who are appreciative of one another, considerate and tolerant.

“Personally, I feel this is the uniqueness of what we have in Malaysia. This uniqueness will preserve our country, our unity, and our understanding of each other for a long time to come.

“There will be changes in the way we do things but the consciousness of us being Malaysians of mixed racial origins, of Chinese, Ibans, Malays, Bidayuhs and Orang Ulu, will ensure that we will continue to be reminded that we are not living in isolation.

“It is this diversity where lies our strength. We are stronger as a society…stronger than where there is no multi-racial structure like ours.”

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