‘Allow eye-opening visits from other states to Sarawak’

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KUCHING: Programmes for citizens from other states in the country to visit Sarawak can open their eyes to the lifestyle and achievements in the state.

Fatimah (seated fourth left) accompanied by Jainab (seated fourth right) and Aidel (seated third left) with several members of the entourage.

Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah made this call on Sunday night, saying people from other states had the misconception that Sarawak was still ‘backward’.

She recalled that while in university during the 70s, people used to ask her if “Sarawakians still lived on trees”.

“This is the reason I support such programmes that allow people from various states to meet, socialise and interact so such misconceptions can be corrected,” she said at a dinner organised by the Department of National Unity and Integrity of Malaysia (JPNIN) for members of an entourage of Neighbourhood Watch Committees (KRTs) from Sabah and Kelantan.

Fatimah pointed out that such programmes could promote unity and instill integrity among citizens.

“Unity and integrity are not automatic so we need to carry out programmes that encourage these qualities for the near and distant future,” she added.

Earlier, Sabah’s Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said the number of KRTs in Sabah was expected to reach 800 areas by end of this year.

She said these programmes were a platform for local products to be introduced to visitors from other states.

Others at the dinner were Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo, JPNIN Sarawak deputy director Giri Nyareng, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Welfare, Women and Family Development Rodziah Morshidi, Sabah JPNIN director Delin Liet Balun, Women’s Bureau director Noriah Ahmad and Special Affairs Department director Hassan Busu.