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| Abdul Karim (back, sixth left) and Wee, on his left, join Fu (back, fifth right) and others in launching the Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Night 2017 at Hokkien Park in Kuching. |
KUCHING: The state Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports is mulling over the feasibility of a ‘Unity Night’ to highlight racial harmony in Sarawak.
Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said his ministry would work on identifying an appropriate date to celebrate the proposed event and bringing up the matter to the state cabinet.
“A ‘Unity Night’ is very applicable for Sarawak where various races are living in harmony and they are tolerant of one another. It’s good to have a celebration like this,” he said during the Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Night 2017 at Hokkien Park here on Friday.
The annual event, hosted by the Youth Wing of Federation of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Division Chinese Associations, also included the non-Chinese.
Abdul Karim’s remarks were made in response to federation president Dato’ Richard Wee, who earlier suggested ‘Unity Night’ to be held as part of Sarawak Day celebrations.
Wee said ‘Unity Night’ ought to be made into an annual affair involving associations of various races, which should take turn to host the event.
“It is to further inculcate the spirit of racial harmony in Sarawak where we showcase the true meaning of 1Malaysia,” he added.
Concurring with him, Abdul Karim said: “Every year, the ‘Unity Night’ can be organised by different communities. If the Chinese community organises this year, it should be the Malay community next year, and the Dayak community after that.”
The minister believed that the proposed event, should it be realised later, would play a pivotal role in enhancing the strong bonds between various communities in the state.
Abdul Karim said he was aware of the Mid-Autumn Festival being ‘the second most important festival after the Lunar New Year, celebrated by the Chinese across the globe’.
“I’ve been invited to a Mooncake Festival in Sibu, which is an annual event too. And I was also invited to Carpenter Street (for the Intercultural Mooncake Festival) which this year, had a delegation of 30 to 40 Chinese (from China) doing performances.
“The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated by not just the Chinese, but also other communities in Sarawak. I see the Malays and the Dayaks taking part,” he noted.
Abdul Karim opined that the traditional Chinese festival could serve as an avenue to further promote racial harmony and tolerance among Sarawakians.
“If we’re overly passionate about our own race, it isn’t good for the community with diverse culture. I’m glad to come over to grace this event.
“I understand that Mid-Autumn Festival is also a time for family reunions and for friends to get together.
“This celebration should be promoted yearly.”
Later Abdul Karim pledged a grant of RM10,000 government for the festival organising committee.
China’s Consul General in Kuching Fu Jijun and organising chairman Sim Siang Boon were also present. -TheBorneoPost
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