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SIBU: Despite Aug 31 having different meanings for people in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah, mutual respect and the spirit of "Segulai Sejalai" or togetherness are essential for building a unified Malaysia, said Sarawak premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

“While Sept 16 marking the formation of Malaysia as a federation is crucial, it’s equally important for all Malaysians to understand and respect the significance of both dates. This mutual understanding is key to national unity and development," he said.

As such, he urged Malaysians to focus on shared values rather than politicising these dates.

Speaking at the state-level National Day celebration at Universiti Teknologi Sarawak today, Abang Johari praised the federal government for officially recognising Aug 31 as National Day since 2015.

He also expressed hope that Sarawak will catch up in economic and infrastructure development, in line with the progress seen in the peninsula.

He also stressed the need for equal opportunities across all regions for balanced development, and expressed confidence that the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 will make Sarawak an inclusive and sustainable state.

Abang Johari thanked the federal government for backing Sarawak’s goals and expressed optimism that the ongoing support, including initiatives like offshore carbon storage, will boost the state’s progress.