posing for a group photo after officiating the City of Unity Workshop. PHOTO: RAMIDI SUBARI
KUCHING: The State Government fully supports Yayasan 1Malaysia (Y1M) in its effort to gain recognition for Kuching as a City of Unity through UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).
According to Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan 1Malaysia, Dr Chandra Muzaffar a contact has been made with UNESCO regarding the matter.
“This is a continuous effort to upgrade Kuching’s status. Support from MBKS (Kuching South City Council), DBKU (Kuching North City Hall), together with the state and federal government is needed to make this a success,” said Chandra during a City of Unity Workshop held at Sarawak State Library (PUSTAKA) in Petra Jaya near here, yesterday.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said upon the recognition of Kuching as a City of Unity by Yayasan 1Malaysia two years ago, the State Government has advocated numerous approached to sustain the status.
“One of it is the allocation of grant to establish a Unity Park which is presently named Reservoir Park. It will be a place to showcase the diversity of culture, races and religions in Sarawak,” said Johari.
He added that trust and respect are the values that develop unity among the people of Sarawak. “Trust each other regardless of background to develop unity. This value has been practiced in Sarawak since a long time ago.
“Under one city (Kuching) we have numerous religious worship centres such as mosques, churches, temples and others. We have a great tolerance.
For instance, the worship centres are built quite close to each other and within the same area. Thus, we are already adapted to the situation since a long time ago,” he pointed out. Johari also noted that intermarriage has also become one of the factors of unity in Sarawak.
