KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the Sabah Government remains committed to ensuring that unity and harmony continue to serve as the foundation of the State’s development.
He said the State Government always supports programmes that promote unity by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, thereby strengthening ties among communities.
Advertisement
.gif)
“We also uphold the aspirations of Malaysia Madani — which emphasises the concept of well-being, compassion, mutual respect and sustainability in national development — as the basis for strong unity and shared prosperity,” he said at the National Unity Week celebration at the grounds of the Likas Sports Complex, here, Saturday.
Hajiji said Sabah’s selection as the host of this year’s National Unity Week celebration was a great honour for the State.
“At the same time, it is also a recognition of the Sabah way of life, where harmony and togetherness have long been embraced as a cherished heritage passed down through generations,” he said, adding that this is Sabah’s greatest contribution to nation-building in Malaysia.
“We also see our brothers and sisters from Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak here, not merely as guests, but as members of one big Malaysian family,” he said.
The Chief Minister called on everyone to reflect on and redefine the meaning of unity as preparation for a more challenging future.
“True unity can no longer be measured merely by courteous behaviour or passive tolerance.
“Instead, genuine unity requires concrete action, continuous commitment, sincerity, mutual respect and, most importantly, the assurance of socio-economic justice and equality for every region.
“A family institution, and even more so a large, plural nation such as Malaysia, can only be truly strong and resilient when every member or state and territory feels genuinely valued, protected and developed in a fair and equitable manner.
“With a genuine spirit of belonging and togetherness as one big Malaysian family, living in unity is important and living in harmony is equally important in achieving lasting prosperity and well-being,” he said.
He also called on the people of Sabah to continue preserving harmony, appreciating ethnic and religious diversity and strengthening the spirit of goodwill that has long been the unique identity of Sabahans.
“With strong cooperation, our focus on unity and development can certainly be achieved more effectively through social consensus and political commitment involving all parties.
“Let us continue to strengthen our collective commitment to safeguarding prosperity, reinforcing unity and ensuring that the harmony we enjoy today can continue to be inherited by future generations,” he said.
