Sarawak Day A Platform To Strengthen Unity & Healthy Lifestyle Among Rakyat
KUCHING: The celebration of Sarawak Day should be used as a platform to strengthen unity among people of various races and to cultivate healthy lifestyle practices as the foundation for sustainable state development.
Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, said that Sarawak Day — which was gazetted as a public holiday by the late former Chief Minister of Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, on 22 July 2016 — is not merely a day off, but rather a special day for all Sarawakians to celebrate their identity, togetherness, and love for the state.
According to him, the late former Chief Minister envisioned that every Sarawakian, regardless of race, religion, or location, would celebrate Sarawak Day in their own way as a sign of pride in their birth state.
“The spirit of Sarawak Day is for all Sarawakians. No matter where you are, celebrate Sarawak Day in your own way.
“Today we gather, walking together regardless of whether we are Iban, Malay, Chinese, Indian, or other races. This is the spirit of togetherness that needs to continue to be nurtured among the people of Sarawak,” he said.
He said this when speaking at the Walk for Sarawak Program in conjunction with the Sarawak Day 2026 celebration here on Wednesday.
Datuk Amar Dr Sim also expressed appreciation to the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) for their commitment in organising various activities that enliven the Sarawak Day celebration.
According to him, the spirit of togetherness fostered through such programs is important in efforts to build the identity and self-worth of the people, thereby strengthening the Sarawak nation-building agenda.
He added that Sarawak is now gaining increasing attention and becoming an example to many parties; hence, the people must play their role by taking care of their health so they can continue contributing to the state's development.
“When the people are healthy, Sarawak will also be healthier. Conversely, if the people are unhealthy, the state also bears the impact.
“That is why I encourage all citizens to practise a healthy lifestyle so that we can continue to contribute to Sarawak's progress,” he said.
In the meantime, he also emphasized that a person will remain a Sarawakian even if they reside in or become a citizen of another country, as their birthplace remains Sarawak.
In line with this, he urged the people to cherish and uphold the Sarawak flag as a symbol of identity, pride, and unity for all Sarawakians wherever they may be.
Also present were Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, DBKU Director Ramzi Abdillah representing the Kuching North Mayor Dato Hilmy Othman, Batu Kitang Assemblyman Dato Ir Lo Khere Chiang, Kota Sentosa Assemblyman Wilfred Yap Yau Sin, MPP Chairman Tan Kai, MPKS Chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali, Deputy Mayor of Kuching South Dato Zaiedi Suhaili, and Acting Secretary of Kuching South Wong Ming Kong. — UKASnews
