Manyin (centre) presents a gift from the organisers to these children. From right are Dahim, Ik Pahon, John, Father Jerome Juleng, Henry and Boniface.
KUCHING: Youth, Sports and Solidarity Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong called on Sarawakians – regardless of race and creed – to continue celebrating each other’s festivities with open hearts and minds.
He said the coming Christmas celebration could be one of the occasions for Sarawakians to enhance solidarity and continue as role models for other Malaysians.
“After Christmas will be Chinese New Year on Jan 27, and then Gawai and Hari Raya Puasa, both in June. We are blessed with these festivities which we celebrate together.
“Let’s use these festivities to enhance our solidarity,” he said at a Christmas dinner organised by Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Kuching urban branch and Women branch at DBNA Hall on Friday night.
Manyin pointed out that although there are 30 sub-ethnic groups in Sarawak, the people are proud to call themselves Sarawakians due to the peace and harmony in the state.
He said Sarawakians are ‘race-blind’, ‘religion-blind’ and ‘politics-blind’ when greeting and meeting each other.
“We have been living harmoniously with each other for so long now. This is what we are good at. We need to enhance this so Sarawak will continue to be a role model for solidarity for many more years to come,” he said.
On another matter, Manyin who is also DBNA chief advisor said the Bidayuh community must not see their small numbers as a disadvantage.
He said ‘small can be beautiful’ since there is less hassle to get members of the community to come together for a dinner like the one organised that night.
“Others say we live in the corridor of development, because we the Bidayuhs are in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian divisions. This is true which differentiate us from other communities,” he said.
Also present at the dinner were DBNA president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik who is also permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus and Serian Resident Dahim Nadot.
The organisers invited residents of Salvation Army, Blind Centre and Cheshire Home to the dinner, during which they received Christmas gifts.
Organising chairman Boniface Anat who is also DBNA deputy president said they had invited residents of these charity bodies to spread the joy of Christmas, and give them a sense of belonging.