‘Culture of mutual respect promotes peace, harmony’
MIRI: The multiracial state of Sarawak has a culture of observing and respecting each other’s festive celebrations.
According to Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, such a ‘ beautiful culture’, practised by Sarawakians, keeps the state in peace and harmony.
“Like today ( yesterday) in SK Pujut Corner‘s ‘Qurban Perdana’ programme, non-Muslims also join the Muslims here to observe the Aidiladha celebration.
“This is a good culture that we should safeguard and cherish. We should, at all cost, promote and further strengthen the existing racial unity and religious harmony in the state,” he said in his address when officiating at the ceremony in the school’s hall yesterday.
Lee, who is Senadin assemblyman, also pointed out that the people of Sarawak — regardless of racial and religious backgrounds — would come forward to assist the government in addressing welfare matters regarding the needy, and not only during festive occasions.
“The effort to build a caring society is important for a country’s wellbeing. Thus, living in a plural society, it is our responsibility to help the less fortunate people around us.”
Lee said such a caring spirit could be also nurtured in school through the involvement and cooperation between teachers and parents.
At the same function, he also announced a Minor Rural Project ( MRP) grant of RM5,000 for the school to run its activities.
Meanwhile, SK Pujut Corner headmistress Suriyati Amit said the ‘ Qurban Perdana’ programme was the first of its kind to be conducted by the school.
She was pleased to have such a programme to share the Aidiladha celebration with the local folk, especially the needy pupils from the school.
Also present were Miri Mayor Adam Yii, Masjid Darul Ehsan Piasau welfare and orphans bureau chairman Talhah Mansur, SK Pujut Corner parent-teacher association chairman Indra Hussein and Councillor Karambir Singh, who represented Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting at the event.