Using race, religion to gain political support not good - Abang Johari

 

The attitude of certain leaders who are willing to play up the issue of race and religion to gain political backing is not good for the country, especially when Malaysia is facing various global challenges, said Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg.

He said this was because such desperate action could split the unity of the multi-racial community and distract the country from focusing on using all its resources to implement comprehensive development.

"In conjunction with this year's National Day celebrations, let us all strive to understand that the country's interests should prevail over everything else.

"The country needs a strong government to shoulder the responsibility of planning a clear economic direction towards making Malaysia a high-income nation so that we understand the true meaning of independence,” he said.

Abang Johari said this in his speech at the 2023 Sarawak-level 66th National Day celebration at the Mukah Polytechnic Hall in Mukah today.

He said Malaysia has diversified its economy from agriculture and commodity to an economy driven by manufacturing and services to become the leading electric and electronic goods exporter.

He said that based on the World Bank report, the country's economic growth has averaged around 5.4 percent since 2010.

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg

Not complacent

The country is expected to transition from an upper middle-income economy to a high-income economy by 2024.

"However, we must not be complacent and continue to 'bicker’ with one another because that will tend to take us towards division in terms of differences in religion and race or in terms of region.

"If we are suspicious of one another and are busy 'fighting’ as the late Tok Nan (Adenan Satem) said, then all our energy and thoughts will only be focused on defeating our rivals,” he said.

As such, Abang Johari said the appreciation of the struggles of former leaders is not just chanting the slogan "Merdeka” but to continue strengthening the spirit of unity and the spirit of mutual respect between the races.

This will see the country move forward with confidence and courage towards becoming a respected nation in this region and the world, he said.

Regarding Sarawak's economic growth, Abang Johari said the region's income had increased one and a half times to RM12 billion last year.

The World Bank has also recognised Sarawak as a high-income state with a Gross National Income per capita of RM61,442 or US$13,205.

"However, we are not totally happy with this achievement because the people's household income stood at RM4,978 in 2022, it has yet to reach the national level,” he said.

- Bernama