Abang Johari enters the gateway on a trishaw.
SIBU: Sarawak has been able to move forward because of the strong unity among the people despite their many differences, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Sarawakians were a very lucky lot as there has never been any racial or religious tension among them.
“That is why the prime minister admires Sarawak very much. If you want to see a state that is so united where people of various races and racial backgrounds and religious beliefs are living harmoniously under one roof, if you want to see the model of harmonious living, look at Sarawak,” he said.
Abang Johari (centre) declares open the event, witnessed by Dr Sim (fourth left), Wong (sixth left) and others.
Speaking at the Harmony Night at Sibu Gateway on Wednesday night, he said Sarawak was able to develop due to stability among the races.
He thus hoped that the state would continue to have peace and stability that the people have been enjoying all this while.
On politics, he said the opposition party’s decision to work with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad proved that they don’t have any principle.
“Before this, Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders regarded him (Dr Mahathir) as a dictator, but today, they have changed and have become best friends.
“That shows DAP has no principle in serving the people. They do it for their own agenda.”
Abang Johari also said Dr Mahathir once regarded people of Sarawak as lazy.
“He is the one who is lazy for not coming to Sarawak often when he was the prime minister. If he came to Sarawak frequently, we would have the Pan Borneo Highway,” he said.
He also mentioned Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) which is one of the weapons to take back Sarawak’s rights that are enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“I am confident that I will be able to take back our rights based on the Constitution.”
He also said he would strive to continue with the policies of the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem for the good of Sarawak
“There is no point for us to be divided. We will not be strong if we are divided,” he said.
He also hoped that Barisan Nasional (BN) could take back Sibu seat in the coming election, and that Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) and United People’s Party (UPP) would stay united for the future of Sarawak.
Meanwhile, over 3,000 people braved the drizzles to turn up for the Harmony Night themed ‘United We Stand’.
Members of the public sing ‘The Sarawak Dream’ while waving slogans.
Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, his wife Datin Sri Pauline Leong, and Minister of Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian were also present.