Organise more cultural events to foster ties, says mayor

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FRIENDSHIP: Voon (second right) presents the MYBOR Chinese Records to Lai as a souvenir while others look on.

MIRI: Community associations here have been urged to organise culture-related events which could woo the participation of all races.

In making the suggestion, Miri City Council (MCC) mayor Lawrence Lai also called for more creative and interesting events to be held in the Resort City regularly.

Lai said events which could draw the participation of everyone would indirectly help to strengthen the prevailing harmony and unity as the people would have the chance to
better understand each other’s culture.

“Living in a multi-racial country, there is a need for us to preserve and safeguard the existing strong unity from being jeopardised by negative elements.

“Learning each other’s cultures is the best approach to enhance better understanding,” he said at the Federation of Miri Division Chinese Association’s cultural programme at Boulevard Shopping Mall here yesterday.

Lai said one of the best events to organise would be one where all communities could participate.

“The event should not be subjected to the participation of one particular community only.

“The event must truly support the 1Malaysia concept. I feel there is nothing wrong to invite non-Chinese to participate in Chinese community activities, for instance.”

Commenting on the cultural programme at Boulevard, Lai said he hoped to see more creative and interesting events being held as it could help make Miri vibrant.

He assured that MCC would give its full support for such events.

“Such events have the power to inject life into a particular area. Thus we need more creative and interesting events in order to make Miri come alive.”

Lai also praised the federation for making an indelible mark in the Malaysia Book of Records (MYBOR) through flying the most Kung Ming lanterns.

He said such attempts would help put Miri on the world tourism map.

At the function, Malaysia Social Care Youth Association president Dato Richard Voon presented a MYBOR Chinese Records to Lai as a souvenir.

The Federation of Miri Division Chinese Associations is now authorised to sell MYBOR Chinese Records to the public.

Also present were federation president Hii Teck Yun and its Youth chief Hii Sing Lung.