Ahmad Zahid (centre) receives a framed ‘parang ilang’ as a memento from local community leaders Temenggong Stanley Geramong (third left), Temenggong Datuk Wan Hamid Edruce (third right), Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau (fourth right) as (from left) Dr Annuar, Masir, Wong and Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee (right) look on.
SIBU: Sarawakians must give their support to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem if they want Sarawak to continue to prosper.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this in a gathering held at Sibu Civic Centre last night in conjunction with his two-day working visit to Sibu.
He said Sarawakians were lucky to have a very good leader in Adenan.
“I didn’t come to Sarawak to campaign because the current State Legislative Assembly term is not dissolved yet.
“I came because Sarawak is very close to my heart.
“I came because Adenan is my good friend, and he is a good and popular leader.
“I appeal to all Sarawakians to put aside their political, racial and religious differences so that Sarawakians can continue to remain very united and strong,” he said.
When Sarawak is strong and united it can achieve its social economic transformation programmes, where it emphasised rural development, he said.
He added that he believed when Sarawak achieved the objectives of its programmes, it would be the most developed state in the country by the year 2030.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, urged the people to continue to respect each others’ religion.
“In order for our religion to be respected, we must respect other religions.
“We must not be extremists, in any aspect. Islam is a religion of peace. It does not teach its followers to kill others or to hate other religions.”
Also present at the function were Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who represented the chief minister, Deputy Home Minister Masir Kujat, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee and Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.