One-of-a-kind leadership
Sarawak has achieved high, excellent level of unity in diversity, says DPM
KUCHING: The quality of leadership in Sarawak is one- of-akind which has allowed the state to achieve a high and excellent level of unity in diversity.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Unity Index in Sarawak demonstrated the highest degree of unity between races, religions and cultures.
“Sarawak tops the Unity Index and it is the most excellent among states in the country.
“Such unity does not come with no effort. It can definitely be nurtured and kneaded into a soul with sincerity,” he said at a Chinese New Year gathering with
Sarawak tops the Unity Index and it is the most excellent among states in the country. Such unity does not come with no effort. It can definitely be nurtured and kneaded into a soul with sincerity.
the community at Imperial Hotel here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid said he was very impressed with the rich diversity in Sarawak through the strong spirit of Sarawakianess.
“I am a Malay but we are Malaysians and we are one family. We know that the Malaysian society, made up of many races, religions, cultures and languages, must have its differences,” he said.
Sarawak was lucky, Ahmad Zahid added, to have leaders who upheld the true spirit of Sarawak, from past to current leaders, including Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“We are grateful for the smooth transfer of leadership to Abang Johari who has promised to continue with the implementation of the 53 principles and actions initiated by the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem,” he said.
Despite the di f ferences in opinions, cultures, religions and various other approaches between Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, he acknowledged Sarawak for its uniqueness and unity.
In 2014, Sarawak topped the unity index study conducted on students and teachers across the country.
The study was conducted by the Education Policy Planning and Research Division of the Education Ministry on primary and secondary school teachers and students from all types of schools.
There were three unity models —accepting the differences, respecting and managing differences.
Meanwhile, Zahid called on the Chinese community here to take a greater role and enhance cooperation with the police to create a safer city to live in.
“Let’s make this our new committment this year. Modern pol icing plays very crucial role nowadays because the omnipresence of police cannot deter crime.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid, Deputy Prime Minister
She said the federal cabinet has also approved RM145 million this year and RM129 million next year for ISBSF. ISBSF serves as a mechanism to help bus operators reach breakeven point.
For instance, if the cost for operating a route is RM100 and the operator only receives RM80, the government would chip in RM20. Nancy explained that the government introduced ISBSF nationwide as some bus companies had withdrawn from unprofitable routes.
She was particularly concerned about the situation in Miri where “small routes are not covered by bus companies”.
“To them, it is losing (money) to go to those small routes where there are only two to three passengers. But with ISBSF, the government is topping up the amount for bus operators. Any bus company interested to cover small routes in Miri are welcome to contact LPKP Sarawak,” she said.
At present, there are only two bus companies in Miri.