Kuching Hokkien Association president Datuk Richard Wee (fifth left) presents Dr Sim with a fruit basket, as other committee members look on.
KUCHING: All Sarawakians, regardless of race and religion, should celebrate Sarawak Day on July 22 together, says Minister of Local Housing and Government Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
“July 22 belongs to each one of us in Sarawak. We all can choose our unique way to celebrate such a meaningful day,” he said when officiating at the installation ceremony of Kuching Hokkien Association’s new committee members at a restaurant along Jalan Pending here on Sunday night.
Dr Sim also called upon Sarawakians to put aside their differences in fighting for the rights of Sarawak as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and to think of the bigger picture for Sarawak.
“The people of Sarawak must stand in solidarity in fighting for a common cause – to seek the return of our rights that have been eroded in the past,” he said.
Dr Sim said with the proliferation of misleading information and ‘fake news’ on cyberspace, he urged Sarawakians to be informed and educated on Sarawak’s rights as listed in MA63, and also to verify all things posted on the Internet before jumping to any conclusion.
Meanwhile, the minister lauded the role played by Chinese associations here in fostering closer relationship between Sarawak government and China.
He disclosed that a proposal had been put forward to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports to engage Chinese associations in the setting up of a section in the new Sarawak Museum.
[Source: “Celebrate S’wak Day together, minister calls upon all S’wakians” published by BorneoPost Online]
