BY NATASHA JEE & ALEXANDRA LORNA
KUCHING: Datuk Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has come up with a novel way or rather a platform to unite all Malaysians — sports.
The Premier said Sarawak, in agreeing to host the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA), strongly believes that sports can help unite Malaysians.
“When Datuk Lee Chong Wei plays badminton, we don’t regard him as Chinese or from Penang, but as a Malaysian fighting for our country.
“The same goes for Datuk Pandelela Rinong; we don’t see her as a Sarawakian but we see her as a Malaysian competing on the international stage,” he said in his speech during the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) dinner at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Wednesday night.
Abang Johari also said sports can be a powerful tool to foster national unity.
“I want to thank Hannah Yeoh (Youth and Sports Minister), who last year suggested that Sarawak should host SUKMA.
“I told Hannah we are ready if given the opportunity to develop sports throughout Malaysia, and therefore we accepted her invitation. Thank you very much for the confidence,” he said.
He added the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also suggested the possibility of Sarawak co-hosting the SEA Games.
“I said ‘Sarawak is willing to be co-host. And we are ready to host the SEA Games with whatever contribution Sarawak can contribute’.
“The reason being I think sports is a tool for us to unite all Malaysian and for that matter even for our neighbouring countries,” he said.
On a related note, Premier acknowledged the extensive coverage of SUKMA events across Sarawak, even in remote areas.
“All our events are well-covered, TVS cancelled all programmes except the news to focus on SUKMA, allowing everyone in Sarawak and the whole country to witness the event, fostering a spirit of unity,” he said.
He hoped future SUKMA competitions will continue to be a platform for unity and collaboration, not only within Malaysia but also with neighbouring countries like Brunei.
