SIBU: Sarawak has introduced ‘Sarawak Celebrates’ to enhance harmony among the local population.
In this regard, ‘open houses’ organised by the government in conjunction with the four main celebrations in the state - Chinese New Year, Gawai Dayak, Aidilfitri and Christmas are no longer held separately but integrated as one.
It was an initiative under the Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry aimed at introducing the ’kongsi raya’ concept for all major aforesaid festivals in Sarawak in all 40 districts statewide.
Sibu Division Resident, Hii Chang Kee in describing the integrated celebration as a “unity platform”, said it was a Social Welfare initiative under the National Key Result Areas of the Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture and Youth and Sports Ministry.
“The uniqueness of Sarawak Cele-brates is that the government organises it jointly with the local communities.
“We will also identify non-governmental organisations that could partner the district offices in the initiative,” he said at a Sarawak Celebrates gathering at Dewan Kompleks Islam Sarawak here Sunday night.
Meanwhile, in the same event, Education and Technology Research Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee said there are certain irresponsible quarters out to destroy the unity of the people of diverse races and religions in Sarawak.
He said such action was done to cause feelings of suspicion among the people in the state who had built close ties among themselves over the past 50 years.
“We must reject this propaganda together and not be easily swayed so that this unity and harmony can be maintained indefinitely for the future generation to inherit.
“We must strive to ensure this unity becomes the lifestyle of the multi racial community in Sarawak,” he said when officiating the ‘Sarawak Celebrates’ event in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidil Fitri here Sunday night.
Dr Annuar, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health, said to build a united society was not an easy matter as it required civilisation, time, money and understanding among the people of various races and religions.
However such unity could be easily destroyed and, hence, all parties must play their role to maintain it, he said.
He commended the initiative as it could be a platform to further enhance the people’s unity in the state.
