Fadillah attributes state’s harmony to racial unity

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Fadillah dots the eye of the ‘lion’ during the ‘Prosperity Lion Eye-Dotting’ ceremony.

KUCHING: Sarawak has been recognised as a united state mainly because people from diverse ethnic groups and backgrounds in the state are able to work and live in harmony with each other.

Petra Jaya assemblyman Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof expressed this view when officiating at the Nanyang Wushu Chinese New Year Extravaganza show held at Kuching Sentral Bus Terminal, Jalan Kuching Ranger Depot here yesterday.

“The uniqueness of Sarawak is the participation of all ethnic groups irrespective of different backgrounds in festival activities,” said Fadillah.

While Wushu is traditionally practised by the Chinese community, he said the martial arts have been picked up by different ethnic groups in Sarawak – proving that Sarawak is indeed a melting pot of various cultures.

Fadillah also stressed that he will always be supportive of any programmes that can promote unity among the people of Sarawak and urged communities and organisations to provide their support for such programmes to be held.

On another note, Nanyang Wushu Federation of Sarawak chairman and grandmaster Dato Sri Dr Song Swee Hee said that Chinese New Year celebration will not be complete without lion dance performance.

“Lion dance is very important because it symbolises strength, luck and prosperity,” he said, adding that the lion dance is a dynamic performing arts associated with Chinese culture.

Song said the federation will continue to promote and teach the art of lion dance to the youths of Sarawak despite facing setbacks and challenges in the modern society.

The highlight of the event organised by Nanyang Wushu Federation of Sarawak and Nanyang Wushu International was the symbolic ‘Prosperity Lion Eye-Dotting’ ceremony which was performed by Fadillah.