Uphold respect, understanding among yourselves, Sarawakians reminded

KUCHING: Sarawakians must continue to practise mutual respect and understanding to ensure further development of the state.

According to Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, racial harmony and social peace are among the key aspects of stable development.

On this, he pointed out the communities in Muara Tebas as a prime example of people irrespective of race and faith living together in harmony.

“The Kuching Hockien Association, PBB Muara Tebas and the JKKK (village security and development committee) of Kampung Muara Tebas have been working closely with one another in taking care of the Muara Tebas Temple, helping the needy and the less-fortunate as well as organising festive gatherings.

“As long as we work together, our top leadership will take note of the effort that we have put in and eventually, they (the leaders) will be committed to developing the Demak Laut area,” he spoke at an Aidilfitri gathering at Kampung Muara Tebas near here on Sunday night.

Dr Hazland said the state government had provided street lighting at Kampung Gobil and Kampung Sungai Buda last year, and also set aside RM3 million for upgrading of facilities at Kampung Sungai Buda, Kampung Muara Tebas and Kampung Bako.

Adding on, he believed that more development projects would come to the people if they continued to enhance the rapport between themselves. Later, Dr Hazland pledged a government grant of RM5,000 to the Kuching Hockien Association for it to run its activities in his constituency.

Earlier, Kuching Hockien Association president Dato Richard Wee said the hosting of the Aidilfitri gathering had always been part of their annual programmes.

According to him, the association is able to collaborate with JKKK Kampung Muara Tebas in carrying out various activities – thanks to the initiative of former Temenggong Lu Kim Yong.

Wee said some locals had been entrusted with looking after the Muara Tebas Temple, which is managed by the association.

“We engage the locals in Muara Tebas to help us look after the temple. They are also responsible in managing the traffic there for the convenience of both devotees and tourists,” he added.

On Dr Hazland, Wee said he had faith in the assemblyman whom he believed would dedicate time and effort to enhancing facilities in the state constituency such as roads and drainage.

As such, Wee appealed to Demak Laut constituents to continue supporting Dr Hazland in the next state election.

At the function, Kuching Hockien Association also donated RM500 each to two families from Kampung Muara Tebas, whose houses were destroyed in a fire early this month.