INTER-CULTURAL CELEBRATION:
Former deputy works minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng (fourth right) in a photo call with co-organising chairman Sim Kiang Chiok (third right) and others during his visit on the first day of the Kuching Inter-Cultural Mooncake Festival on Monday. Hosted by the Federation of Kuching Division Community Associations and the Old Market Community Association, the festival is being held at Carpenter Street until Sept 24, from 6pm to 11pm daily with numerous activities lined up for visitors celebrating Kuching as a ‘City of Unity’.
KUCHING: Former deputy works minister and Chinese community leader Datuk Yong Khoon Seng is glad that the unity and tolerance among the people in Sarawak is not pretentious.
In a statement issued during his visit to the Kuching InterCultural Mooncake Festival at the Carpenter Street here on Monday, he commented that unity among the people of Sarawak is natural and is not manufactured.
“Ever since I was active in politics these values are the values that I have always upheld for us in Sarawak. Sarawakian nature is not just tolerant towards each other but also accepting and accommodating towards each other too,” he added.
De s pi t e t he n a t u r e o f Sarawakians that he is proud of, he is, however, worried that the integration and unity is fast eroding, compounded by the racial politics being played out.
“Being united will always benefit us in many ways and one of the things that help us very much is when we want to fight for our rights ( Sarawak’s right) the federal government will adhere to our needs when the federal government sees us united. This is why we must remain united at all times,” he said.
During the visit, Yong took time to stop and greet all the stall owners along the street.
Ever since I was active in politics these values are the values that I have always upheld for us in Sarawak. Sarawakian nature is not just tolerant towards each other but also accepting and accommodating towards each other too.
Datuk Yong Khoon Seng, Former deputy works minister and Chinese community leader
Yong was accompanied by officials and local community leaders.
Hosted by the Federation of Kuching Division Community As sociat ions and the Old Market Community Association, the Kuching Inter- Cultural Mooncake Festival is held from Sept 17 to 24.