KUCHING: Tolerance, harmony and peace are key to ensuring the continued well-being of multi-racial Sarawak.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it is therefore important that people do not only think of themselves, their religion and their race.
“This is because any small issue, regarding race and religion, could potentially create a lot of tension in a multi-diverse society like Sarawak,” he warned even as the dust begins to settle on the controversy over the banning of Christmas greetings on cakes.
“It we are not careful, it would lead us to hatred among races, so we should be more moderate in our views and outlook and appreciate people of different religions,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating at the book launching of The Southeast Asia ArtLIST Vol. 1, the Southeast Asia International Art Camp 2023, and the Malaysia Book of Records Award ceremony “First To Paint” here on Tuesday (Dec 19).
“Please do not only think about yourself as the world does not only revolve around you, look at it from a bigger perspective.
“This is how we will be able to ensure Sarawak becomes a much more harmonious state,” he added.
The controversy arose after a bakery chain in the peninsula banned Christmas greetings on its cakes in adherence to an Islamic Development Department (Jakim) directive in 2020.
The department has since voided the directive, stating that there is no prohibition of festive greetings on products made by halal-certified outlets.
