TENOM: Rural Development Minister Datuk Radin Malleh said unity and harmony of the people of various races should be preserved and enhanced.
He said this was to ensure the continuity of the rapid development and well-being of the people in the state.
“The actions of an irresponsible few to mix politics with religion to achieve their interests must be curbed,” he said while speaking at a lau sang ceremony in conjunction with the Chinese New Year here, yesterday.
He described such actions could affect the unity and harmony of peace-loving citizens, and the spirit of friendship and goodwill.
In this context, Radin, who is also the Melalap assemblyman , is asking the people not to be swayed by the action of deliberately playing racial and religious sentiments, but rather to oppose such action in order to maintain family relationship that had long been the practice of the community in the state.
The vice president of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) added that the leadership of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government is working hard to implement the government’s transformation program (GTP), especially in improving socio-economic development towards a developed nation by 2020.
“The lau sang ceremony is one of the Chinese traditions when celebrating the Chinese New Year and is an important means to strengthen ties among the various races in Sabah, particularly in this area.
“For me, the participation of other races in this event is a reflection of how strong our unity and also the sense of family, and we do not have any problems relating to racial and religious backgrounds.
“What is important for us is that we can cooperate in forming a nation that is truly 1 Malaysia, consisting of the various races and religions that can sit, discuss and work together to jointly develop our country, state and area ,” he said.
Radin urged the Chinese community in the state, especially in this area to continue to support the efforts and policies of the government in implementing transformation programs that will benefit all parties – the people, the leaders, the government and the country.
He said the Chinese community’s feedback on the government’s transformation program was also important to ensure that all development programs planned and implemented by the government ran smoothly and were on the right track.
The event, organized by heads of the Chinese community or Chinese Kapitan in this district, was attended by Radin’s wife Datin Angeline Tom, Tenom UPKO chief Senator Datuk Dr Lucas Umbul, Assistant District Officer Clarence Puin Pinduru, Melalap People Development Leader Simon Mamat, government officials, representatives of BN component leaders, businessmen and community leaders.