KUCHING, The present peace and harmony in Sarawak must be upheld as it is an immense treasure, said the Yang Dipertua of Sarawak Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.

He said Sarawakians have been very fortunate as they have been able to celebrate all major festivals and celebrations with great merriment regardless of their race and religion.

Abdul Taib said celebrations such as Christmas, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Wesak Day and Gawai Dayak were celebrated against a backdrop of genuine understanding and respect for one another.

‘I am very glad to say that in Sarawak, Christians have been able to celebrate Christmas with their non-Christian friends, relatives and family members of different religions.

‘This tradition of visiting one another is very unique in Sarawak for which we have become a role model for the whole country,’ he said in his Christmas message here, today.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in his Christmas and new year message said in keeping with Sarawak’s social inclusiveness, the state government must ensure its people have decent places of worship.

He said previously, some places of worship, especially churches and chapels used to be in deplidated conditions.

‘That was why as a caring government we set up the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) to make sure that people of other religions other than Islam have a comfortable place to pray and worship.

‘Some non-Muslim leaders likewise have also shown a similar attitude to the needs of Muslims where they are a minority. This is our way and our brand of unity in Sarawak which may not be found in other places,’ he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency