MIRI: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan yesterday urged the people to be patient because policies and development programmes implemented by the government needed time to be seen and felt.
WELL DONE: Dr Chan (second right), flanked by Miri City Council (MCC) Mayor Lawrence Lai (on his right), presents angpow to a group of performers.
Success doesn’t come overnight, he said.
“I hope the people understand the problems and constraints faced by the government and its agencies during the implementation phase. It takes quite sometime for the people to see and feel its benefits.
“It is also important for the people not to be influenced and be taken in by the sweet and empty promises made by the opposition,” he said.
Dr Chan said this at SJK Chung Hua Lutong when he was there to officiate at a ‘ngiling tikai’ (rolling of the mat) ceremony to close the Gawai Dayak celebration.
The event was jointly organised by the Department of Special Affairs, Malaysia (Jasa) Miri and the Village Development and Security Committee of Kampung Pasirm, Kampung Api-Api and Kampung Merikan.
Dr Chan said by right the people should be “thankful and grateful” to the Barisan Nasional as its leadership was visionary and caring.
“Good and able leadership is the pillar for the development and stability of the country. As such, it is important for the people to support the policies and programmes implemented by the government,” he said.
On unity and tolerance, Dr Chan said the 1Malaysia concept had been practiced in the state for a long time and invited people from the peninsula to emulate it.
“Although there are very obvious differences among Sarawakians in terms of racial and religious backgrounds, we are still able to sit and have coffee together. The Bidayuh, Iban, Chinese, Malay, Kelabit, Kenyah and Melanau are able to get together in any one place without harbouring prejudice or ill will over each other,” he said.
He said it was actually this unity and harmony which had enabled the state to develop and prosper all these years.
Dr Chan later presents ‘ang pows’ (red packets), which symbolises prosperity and good luck, to the children and teenagers at the gathering.