KUCHING: Polarisation has no place in Sarawak and efforts to ensure that races socially interact with one another must continue, said Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister stressed the importance of having programmes that encourage social interaction among communities and urged them to avoid polarisation.
“We learn from each other, the language, the culture, customs and tradition of the different races (in Sarawak).
“We must also remember that social inclusivity is also important; it is an effort to ensure that no one in Sarawak feels left out due to their economic (standards), gender, age, race, religion,” she said in her speech at the Kembara Perpaduan: Food Unites and Sarawak Aidilfitri Open House 2024 programme at Penview Convention Centre (PCC) Demak here, last night (Apr 21).
Fatimah believed that this programme creates an ecosystem which fosters a sense of unity and prevents conflicts among the diverse communities available in the country.
“Sarawak is recognised as a state known for unity in diversity. Sarawak and Sabah are examples of states that model and display unity.
“However, unity just doesn’t come that way, and it must not be treated lightly, it must be nurtured and must be taught,” she said, adding that social inclusivity must be instilled at an early age by parents, followed by preschools, primary schools, secondary schools and universities.
“We must make sure that there is respect among one another. As parents we begin from home, remind our children to respect those that look different, and from different races, different languages and different cultures,” she said.
Fatimah also shared that at pre-school levels, either unity kindergartens or other private kindergartens, values like respecting one another are often instilled in the children.
The Kembara Perpaduan: Food Unites and Sarawak Aidilfitri Open House 2024 programme was held in conjunction with the National Unity Week celebration.
Also present was Ministry of National Unity secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof.
