Head of State urges Melanaus to work closely with other communities
KUCHING: Members of the Melanau community must strive to live harmoniously with people of other races.
In this regard, Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud says the Melanaus hold equal responsibility as other groups in developing the state.
“Despite being a minority group, we (the Melanaus) hold the responsibility, together with other races, in developing Sarawak.
“I also want Melanau leaders – from the top level to the grassroots – to not only work for their fellow Melanaus, but for people from other communities as well,” he said in his speech during a ‘Family Day with the Melanau Community in Kuching’ at Wisma Melanau here yesterday.
Themed ‘Pedebun Berambih’, the event was jointly hosted by Kuching Melanau Association (PMK), Federation of Sarawak Melanau Associations (PPMS) and Sarawak Melanau Community Welfare Trust Board (LAKKMS).
Taib also advised his fellow Melanaus to be far-sighted in any field that they are venturing into.
“We cannot think only of our race – we must mingle around with other races as well,” he said, adding that PMK should play a more significant role in such integration.
“The future of the Melanaus lies in our ability to integrate with others and work as one family for the betterment of all.”
Later, Taib presented excellence awards to Melanau students who had performed well in public examinations – namely the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR), Pentaksiran Tingkatan 3 (PT3), Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM).
The Head of State also took the time to visit booths selling various items produced by Melanau entrepreneurs.
Taib was accompanied by Mukah MP Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Leo Toyad Abdullah who is also PPMS president, Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh, and Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs Datuk Abdullah Saidol.
Telian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo who is also LAKKMS deputy chairman, LAKKMS chairman Aidan Wing and PMK president Razali Zainuddin were also present.