‘Pilot example of what Malaysia should be’

Published on: Sunday, April 21, 2024

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Dr Pamela Yong (left) and Katty Voon.

IS there a great reason for Chinese to turn up for the State Hari Raya open house?

“Yes, especially this time,” said Dr Pamela Yong.

“I think it’s wonderful because after the pandemic, with all the isolation over, it’s nice to see every body, you must have a reason or excuse to get everyone together and I like it because it’s for the whole state,” she noted.

“You see every one enjoying themselves, great food, dances, everybody of all walks, it’s nice that everybody of different cultures and religions sitting together, celebrating the occasion, I don’t think everybody sees it as a religious festivity, more or a cultural thing.”

Asked on how does it help unity in diversity, she was lucid:

“The photos will tell you, it speaks a thousand words because if you look at it, everybody of different ethnic group, colour, creed, religion, we have even tourists as well I noticed, from China, who were interested to see what’s going on.

“So it is, here, no one is talking about politics or anything, everyone is talking about who is wearing what, where do you get the dress from, this is unity, this is truly one Malaysia,” she asserted.

Does that make Sabah different?

“No, that makes Sabah a pilot example of how Malaysia should be!”

Pamela’s friend, Katty Voon, said the whole atmosphere was a “feeling of harmony”, citing the presence of representatives from non-governmental organisations, associations, professionals as well as Semporna, Sandakan and Tuaran visitors.