Upholding spirit of ‘Segulai Sejalai’
Unity, mutual respect remain Sarawak’s top priority as it moves forward, says Premier in Malaysia Day message
Indeed, the celebration of Malaysia Day 2023 this year is quite festive, and we from Kuching are especially pleased to welcome the Prime Minister and also friends from Peninsular Malaysia and the state of Sabah.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg
Sarawak will continue to move forward with the spirit of unity and mutual respect among all races and faith, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the term ‘Segulai Sejalai’, which means ‘Together in Unity’, serves as the basis for Sarawakians to uphold mutual understanding.
“In Sarawak, the spirit of unity and mutual respect among all races will always be our top priority for us to move forward.
“People regardless of background, race and religion can enjoy progress and prosperity of this blessed land in the spirit of ‘Segulai Sejalai’,” he said in his Malaysia Day message.
Abang Johari hoped that Malaysia would continue to progress by taking a bold step forward in line with the spirit of unity.
He believed that unity in diversity within the nation would earn respect at the regional and international arena.
He expressed gratitude over Kuching being given the honour to host this year’s national-level Malaysia Day celebration.
“Indeed, the celebration of Malaysia Day 2023 this year is quite festive, and we from Kuching are especially pleased to welcome the Prime Minister and also friends from Peninsular Malaysia and the state of Sabah.
“It is a time for us to come together to remember and celebrate historic moments of our homeland that happened 60 years ago,” he said.
Abang Johari recollected that six decades ago, the two regions on the island of Borneo and the Federation of Malaya came together to ink an agreement to form a sovereign and independent nation state.
“At this very meaningful moment, I would like to invite all Malaysians to appreciate this year’s Malaysia Day theme ‘Malaysia Madani: Determination of Unity, Fulfilling Hope’,” he said.
He opined that the theme was chosen as an effort to invite people from all walks of life to appreciate the meaning principles of development to see a more successful independent nation with high civilisation and strong unity.
Meanwhile, in a separate Malaysia Day message, acting Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar said Sarawak had always believed in the Federation of Malaysia as the best agreement for fostering development within a larger, united nation.
He said he was delighted that the leaders of the federal government recognised the importance of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which granted greater autonomy to the region.
“I am also very pleased with the leadership of the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who has made significant efforts to continue negotiations with the federal government so that the true spirit of MA63 can one day be realised,” he said in the message issued by Astana Negeri yesterday.
Asfia said one of the significant successes achieved under Abang Johari’s leadership was the implementation of a five-per cent State Sales Tax (SST) on oil and gas from Petronas.
He added that the substantial revenue from the SST had been instrumental in financing critical infrastructure and essential facilities across Sarawak, including roads, bridges, water supply, electricity, housing, telecommunications, healthcare, education, and welfare.
“I was informed that up to April this year, Sarawak had received RM13.3 billion from SST since its implementation in January 2019.
“Therefore, appreciation must be extended to Abang Johari and his Cabinet members for their success in developing Sarawak to continue progressing through the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. The aim is to ensure that Sarawak will achieve developed status by 2030,” he said.
As such, Asfia expressed confidence that under Abang Johari’s leadership, Sarawak would achieve Vision 2030 through PCDS 2030 as all necessary policies required to achieve developed status had been formulated and implemented.
With Sarawak recently declared by the United Nations as having reached high-income economic status, he said he was confident that Sarawak could achieve Vision 2030.
“This is indeed a remarkable achievement for Sarawak, and it is a significant historical moment as it coincides with this year’s Malaysia Day celebration,” he added.
“Once again, I would like to extend my warmest wishes for Malaysia Day 2023 to all Sarawakians and, in general, to the people of Malaysia
The national-level Malaysia Day 2023 event takes place at Stadium Perpaduan tonight.
Asfia is the guest-of-honour, and he would be joined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, as well as Abang Johari and his wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and his wife Datin Seri Juliah Salang.