Meligan folk hoping for 1Malaysia’s magic to turn life for the better

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SIPITANG: Village head Sarudin Tuan used to walk for about a week to reach Sipitang town just to buy essential goods in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Back in the old days, it was a routine journey for him and other villagers of Meligan, about 50km from here, to traverse the hills and jungles under the thick canopy of the humid, wet forest.

In what is seen as a change of fortune for the Meligan folk, this remote village is now accessible by road, thanks to a gravel logging track.

“It’s much easier now…we no longer have to walk and labour for about seven days to get to Sipitang to buy salt and other essentials.

“But, we are hoping for the magic of the 1Malaysia concept to turn our life for the better and enjoy a better road connectivity in future,” he told Bernama, here.

Sarudin was optimistic that the 1Malaysia concept introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, which prioritised the interests of rural people, among others, would bring Sipitang to greater heights.

“I believe our Prime Minister is sincere and committed in working towards this objective, not only in Sipitang but also throughout the country,” said Sarudin of the significance of the 1Malaysia concept.

He said he was very impressed with the federal government’s commitment to realise the aspirations of 1Malaysia, particularly with regard to the agenda for national unity.

The Prime Minister said recently that the government had a dream of creating one people and one nation in line with the 1Malaysia concept.

Besides strengthening racial unity and implementing fair policies for all, Najib hoped the 1Malaysia concept would also enhance integration and solidarity between the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak towards building a better future for the people.

“It’s no use to have a broad development programme for the people of Malaysia, including in Sipitang, if we are disunited and in disarray.

“What happened or is happening in the Middle East now — racial tensions or riots — is a lesson for us. To me, unity is the key to success and that’s why we must maintain unity among our people at all cost,” he said.

Citing the prevailing racial harmony enjoyed by the local people of Sipitang, Sarudin said although they were made up of different ethnic groups that practised different religions and way of life, they could live in harmony because “they were tied together with some sense of unity.”

“This is the beauty of our people…like myself I am belong to Murut ethnic group but I can easily mix around, mingle and interact with other community leaders from different ethnic groups like Abdul Rahman Mohd Noh, a Kadayan from Kampung Pekan Mesapol, and James Sago, a Lundayeh from Kampung Kawang Baru.

“We all value and treasure unity,” he said adding that the grassroots scenario in Sipitang reflects the ethnic and religious diversity in Malaysia, a country with a relatively small population of 26 million.

In concurring with Sarudin’s views of 1Malaysia, Abdul Rahman and James said that the 1Malaysia concept was probably the best panacea for all challenges in building a united Malaysia in diversity.

They are well aware of the misconception about 1Malaysia however, and called for concerted efforts involving the relevant government departments and agencies to correct any negative outlook towards the noble values of the concept.

It is of little wonder then that Sarudin, Abdul Rahman, James and the people of Sipitang alike are hailing the initiative by the Sabah Information Department to organise the Sepakat Bestari 1Malaysia for three days beginning April 1 and the Sabah 1Malaysia Oratorical Contest for non-Malays on the night of April 2.

“This is a good chance for our people to understand and embrace the 1Malaysia concept in our everyday life,” they said of the simultaneous programmes.

Meanwhile, State Information director Almain Ajirul said the competition was aimed at promoting the 1Malaysia concept through the use and acculturation of the national language.

He said state information exco Datuk Sapawi Ahmad, who is also Member of Parliament for Sipitang, was expected to declare open the competition at Esplanad Sipitang, with six participants competing to be the state representative to the national level competition in May.

Almain said Sipitang had been chosen because the competition is going to be held in conjunction with the three-day “Sepakat Bestari” and “Juara Rakyat” programmes as well as the “Pentarama”.

He urged the people of Sipitang to turn up in full force to listen and appreciate the true meaning of the 1Malaysia concept. – Bernama