Sng calls for rejection of extremism in Hari Raya message
KUCHING: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak chairman Larry Sng has called on Sarawakians to reject extremism which could derail harmony in the state’s plural society.
His Hari Raya Aidilftri message encouraged Sarawakians to continue to practise moderation in whatever they do and preserve the Sarawak’s reputation as exemplary state in Malaysia.
“Although we comprised different races and faiths, but we in Sarawak still practice moderation and continue practising it because of the realisation that acts of extremism will weaken and destroy the harmony that we have.
“Sarawak is a state rich in cultures, and always mentionined as an example of a state with high level of harmony which other states in Malaysia must follow.
“I am confident the people in the state will continue preserving this good reputation,” he said.
The Julau MP noted this year’s Hari Raya is different because of the absence of any open house due to the ban on any mass gathering due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Hari Raya Aidiltri is usually a merry occassion especially here in Sarawak where people from all strata of society visit each other. Politicians, NGOs, tycoons, government ministries and departments and even the private sector would hold open houses within one month of the celebration, and such events have positive impacts in nurturing unity among Malaysians.
“However, in the year 2020 we feel sad because the Covid-19 pandemic does not allow us to practice the open house tradititon as usual. Nevertheless, we can still extend festive greetings to each other through other means, such as ‘Facebook’, WhatsApp’, ‘Instagram’ and other online platforms.
“We can still send each other greeting cards or deliver festive cakes and biscuits to each other. Hopefully the Covid-19 pandemic can end soon. After Aidilftri, we will celebrate Gawai Dayak and then followed by Hari Raya Haji during which we hope conditions have eased and are safer for us to celebrate,” he said.
He also called on Sarawakians to maintain discipline and comply with measures to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission.