Sarawak’s cultural diversity a draw for sociologists — CM
MIRI: The cultural diversity in Sarawak has attracted not only tourists but also drawn the interest of sociologists to conduct academic research on its people and their beautiful culture.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said that was why he combined tourism, culture, youth and sports under one ministry.
“There is no doubt that the people in Sarawak are rich in culture and this has attracted tourists to the state. There are academicians among the tourists and these types of tourists conduct sociology study on our cultures,” he stated when officiating at the 2018 Jatti Meirek Charity Dinner at Imperial Hotel here on Saturday.
Thus, Abang Johari advised the people to practise, preserve and promote their cultures.
He admitted that mixed marriages among the people in Sarawak had posed a strong challenge for the couples on which culture to follow and practise.
However, he looked at mixed marriages from the positive aspect, saying many sociologists agreed that such mixed marriages
There is no doubt that the people in Sarawak are rich in culture and this has attracted tourists to the state. There are academicians among the tourists and these types of tourists conduct sociology study on our cultures. Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister
had indirectly fostered closer rapport and better understanding among the people of different races, religions and traditional backgrounds.
Such unique way of life practised by the people in Sarawak, he said, had amazed the sociologists.
“They (the sociologist) look at Sarawak as a model of harmony and they even acknowledged that mixed marriages have enabled peace and harmony to thrive in the state.”
On another matter, he supported the effort by Jatti Meirek Association of Miri to establish a cooperative as a way to grab business opportunities provided by digital economy.
Later, the Chief Minister, on behalf of the association, presented donations to seven recipients.
They were the Dialysis Centre of Miri, Peryatim Miri, Orphan Welfare Bureau of Piasau Darul Ehsan Mosque, Sunf lower Centre Miri, Parent-Teacher Association of SK Agama Miri, Pusat Jagaan Anak Kesayangan Miri and Sarawak Heart Foundation.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister of E- Commerce Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus, Sibuti MP Datuk Ahmad Lai Bujang, Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat, Mulu assemblyman Dato Gerawat Gala, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, Miri Resident Sherrina Hussaini, Miri mayor Adam Yii, president of the association Datuk Abdillah Abdul Rahim and organising chairman Ir Jamel Ibrahim.