KOTA KINABALU: Mixed marriages in the state, which have taken place for a long time, is a major contributor to the creation and maintenance of harmony and unity of Sabahans.The practice has also contributed to the uniqueness of Sabahans who are multi-racial and multi-religious, said Sepanggar Umno chief, Jumat Idris.
“Statistics show that almost 50 per cent of Sabahans are of mixed marriages or parentage, and there has been no major social strife or misunderstanding between them,” he said when officiating at the division’s family day last Sunday.
It is this uniqueness that has made workers posted to Sabah feel comfortable, and also the reason why some decided to reside here permanently, he said.
Therefore, he was in favour of preserving all practices which have united Sabahans in order to continue being the best example of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia concept.
He also said the ongoing barter trading of agricultural produce also helped to strengthen ties between the multi-racial people.
This practice, he pointed out, was the precursor of the weekly ‘tamu’ in towns throughout the state such as Inanam, Menggatal and Telipok.
On the family day celebration, Jumat commended the division’s secretary of works who is also the organising chairman, Richard Jon, for a job well done.