KUCHING: The country should remain neutral and not use politics as a tool to fight over issues.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud stressed that it was imperative for Malaysians to remain united and work together for the common good.
“After the country (Malaysia) gained independence, it had provided the people with many benefits and opportunities.
“Thus, I remind the people of the benefits that the country has achieved since she gained independence.
“There are many opportunities for the people, especially economic and business opportunities.
“That is why we encourage people to seize any opportunity available in order to progress further,” he said in a special message in conjunction with the state-level National Day 2021 celebration on Tuesday night.
Taib also said that the present and future generations must be given ample opportunity to be successful so that they could contribute back to the nation.
“I believe Malaysia has taken a step that brings us to a better future, and for as long as we preserve our unity, provide the people opportunity, continue the good policies that we have focused on, we are able to progress and achieve the status of developed nation soon,” he said.
Earlier, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg praised Taib for his role as the ‘umbrella’ of unity for the multi racial, religion and ethnic people of Sarawak.
“Under the auspices of Tun Taib, the culture of mutual respect between religions and races continues to be strengthened in line with the inclusiveness policy of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government,” he said.
The GPS chairman said that this was evidenced by the establishment of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) which manages and coordinates assistance to all religions other than Islam so that their followers could equally enjoy the prosperity of the state.
Also present then were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib; Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also the minister-in-charge for the state-level National Day 2021 celebration, as well as other state Cabinet ministers.
