Dr Rundi encourages S’wakians to celebrate National Day
SARIKEI: Sarawakians have every reason to celebrate the country’s National Day as they are part of Malaysia’s success story.
This is because it is an undeniable fact that they have been enjoying steady progress since the formation of Malaysia, made possible by its climate of peace and stability till today, reasoned Public Utilities Minister Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
“Our ability to sustain our country’s independence for over 50 years is something we should be proud of especially when our people encounter no problem in working together despite their different racial and religious backgrounds,” Dr Rundi said when representing Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to officially launch the month-long state-level national flag (Jalur Gemilang) flying campaign in conjunction with this year’s National Day celebration at the civic centre here yesterday.
Though the Barisan Nasional (BN) government had contributed
Our ability to sustain our country’s independence for over 50 years is something we should be proud of especially when our people encounter no problem in working together despite their different racial and religious backgrounds. Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Public Utilities Minister
substantially to the country’s success, much of the credit should be given to the people who, despite their different religious and racial backgrounds, had been able to rally solidly behind the government to bring progress to the country, he added.
Dr Rundi also reminded Sarawakians of the efforts undertaken by the state government in fighting for the state’s rights as provided under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, especially its status as a partner in the formation of Malaysia which should be the basis for sharing the country’s wealth or development fund.
“Our Chief Minister needs full support from all Sarawakians in pursuing the matter,” he stressed, adding that the voice of Sarawakians as reflected in their support for the state BN in the last state election had put a lot of weight on the state’s case.
“Our deal is not only confined to requesting for big funds to enable the state to catch up on development, but on some power which had been taken away from us,” he said.
Among those present were Assistant Minister for Workforce Development and Training Datu Len Talif Salleh, Assistant Minister for Arts and Culture Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Assistant Minister for Rural Economy ( Interior areas) and Plantation Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Repok assemblyman Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii, Sarikei MP Andrew Wong Ling Biu, other state assemblymen, heads of various departments and community leaders.