BY SARAH HAFIZAH CHANDRA & GABRIEL LIHAN
MUKAH: Sarawak continues to be recognised as the model state of unity owing to its people living in harmony and prosperity despite the diversity in backgrounds.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state has been receiving this recognition for many years up to this day by various federal leaders.
With this year’s National Unity Week being launched in Sarawak, he said it was a testimony of high recognition by the federal government.
“If you want to see a state (in Malaysia) that is rich in cultures with its people living in harmony, look at Sarawak. We are a model for unity in diversity and this is a very high value of recognition.
“I am very proud of this because the people of Sarawak are always united, and we live peacefully as a big family. This is our unique culture that we must preserve and protect,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the Pesta Kaul Mukah 2023 here today (April 29).
At the same time, Abang Johari said adaptation to new approaches especially in economy was needed to ensure that the people of Sarawak elevated to a higher level particularly in generating their livelihood.
He said with Sarawak’s economy going in a new direction, the state was becoming a reference for the federal government.
“When I first took over and launched the digital economy, people were skeptical. However, the COVID-19 pandemic showed how important digital economy is.
“We can now see that our people are very fluent in utilising digital devices which have significantly facilitated their lives such as getting in touch with their loved ones who are far away from home,” he said.
He added that it is important for Sarawakians to be open to learning and adapting to a new way of living in line with global changes.
