Sarawak’s community is strong due to spirit of togetherness, says state Premier

SIBU: Sarawak’s community is strong due to the high spirit of togetherness and religious tolerance among the people, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“We are very fortunate as we can celebrate Christmas in a very peaceful environment with a high degree of tolerance among the various faiths in Sarawak. We have to sustain and protect it,” he said.

Speaking at the Anglican Christmas Open-house at St Thomas Cathedral in Kuching on Monday (Dec 26), he said the church in Lutong sets a good example by allowing Muslims to park their car in their premises for Friday prayer.

He added that the mosque does the same by allowing church members to park their cars in their compound.

Abang Johari then used the Covid-19 pandemic to speak of the spirit of tolerance.

“When you have a patient in front of you, you don’t think of his background. You don’t think of his faith. Whether the patient is a Christian, whether the doctor is a Muslim or other faiths, your prime objective is to make sure the patient survives,” he said.

Abang Johari said the state has set up Unifor to assist houses of worship and mission schools financially.

This has resulted in all mission schools in the state being repaired with funds from Unifor.

Abang Johari also congratulated the Christian community for contributing to the development of the state.

Among those attending the open-house were the Premier’s wife, Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, deputy premier Datuk Amar Douglas Ugah Embas and Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.