Unity bedrock for progress: CM
Published on: Saturday, June 01, 2019
By: Larry Ralon
PENAMPANG: Unity among people of diverse ethnics, cultures, religions and beliefs is the best recipe for developing Sabah into a prosperous state, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.He said such unity as displayed in the Tadau Kaamatan, celebrated not only in Sabah but also in other states, can enable the State Government develop the State to be much better than Korea, Japan and even Singapore.ADVERTISEMENT
“We want this celebration to become a platform for uniting further all people in Sabah. We use it as a foundation for us to make Sabah progress forward.
“I am confident that Sabah has this recipe in its effort to become a developed state.
“We can develop Sabah much better than Korea, Japan and even Singapore, because we are confident we have the recipe, raw materials, culture, tourism products and only that what is most important is having the right mindset in human resources.
“We have sufficient wealth to place Sabah as an industrial state. I am confident of this, when we have unity and right mindset, we can take care of our people,” he said, when closing the State-level Tadau Kaamatan celebration at the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Hongkod Koisaan hall, Friday. ADVERTISEMENT
Huguan Siou, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, State Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony, who is also State Tadau Kaamatan Celebration Main Organising Committee head and other State and community leaders were also present.
“Unity is an important agenda. There should be no extremism in religion and racism because if there is, unity cannot be achieved. We need moderation, we are created differently but differences should not prevent us from living in peace and harmony with each other and progressing forward,” he said.
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He cited China, as an example, which become a developed nation in 40 years.
“Previously China was a poor country and under communism. But now, even what was previously just a small and poor fishing village like Shenzen has become a rich place which contributed to trillions of yuan to the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Such a small place like Shenzen, which is smaller than Kota Kinabalu, can contribute greatly to the GDP.
“How did they manage to do that without having any natural resources? Because they have the right mindset, they are united to ensure they have a better life.”
Mohd Shafie said the Tadau Kaamatan celebration, which is participated by various ethnics, need to be preserved as among efforts to continue fostering unity, especially in Sabah.
“This is not only celebrated in Sabah, but throughout the country.
“It also shows how important it is to preserve and pass down the cultural heritage so it will not be forgotten in the people pursue for modernisation,” he said.
He hoped families have also made use of the celebration for strengthening family bonds, apart from continuing with the tradition passed down by their ancestors.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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The Chief Minister was also pleased to see the colourful traditional wear by the various communities, saying he encouraged the people to continue such practice not only to promote the ethnic diversity in Sabah but become an industry that can generate income to people in the State.
“Like for example, during every weekend we wear Batik. Why don’t we wear our traditional costume, as people when they see it will also want to buy it and this can create an opportunity for our people to make money by making traditional wear,” said Mohd Shafie.