KUCHING: The adoption of the Iban phrase ‘Segulai Sejalai’ as a unity slogan nationwide is an honour to and appreciation of Sarawak’s long practice of unity and tolerance.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the slogan may have been adopted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim due to the unity that is prevalent in Sarawak.
“The meaning of ‘Segulai Sejalai’ is ‘Together in Unity’ which is aligned with the Prime Minister’s effort to unify the people of Malaysia.
“We know racial and religious sentiments have been exploited in politics, causing various issues to arise,” he told a a press conference after officiating the Sarawak Public Service Commission’s Raya-Ngiling Bidai Gawai Dayak event today at Pullman Hotel here.
He believed Anwar must have been impressed by the unity and tolerance shown in Sarawak and wanted to adopt the phrase as a unity slogan nationwide.
“In Sarawak, whether you are a Dayak, Malay or Chinese, they can still come together and practise tolerance,” he said.
Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, supported and welcomed the use of the Iban phrase, commonly used in Sarawak.
The Iban phrase is easily understood by the majority of the races in Sarawak.
During the national Gawai Dayak 2023 celebration at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on June 7, Anwar said he was attracted to the Iban phrase and announced that he would make it the national unity slogan.
