Group: Make Sarawak a better place for all

KUCHING: This year, civil society organisations in Sarawak are calling on everyone to make the state a better place in 2019.

Rise of Sarawak Efforts (ROSE) said Sarawakians should take it upon themselves not to just jump on the bandwagon of getting back state rights but to read up on history and think critically about the issue.

“It’s important to ask the more crucial question of how this will make Sarawak a better place for us and our future generations.

“Participation and engagement in the democratic process are key,” ROSE spokesman Ann Teo said.

Towards this end, she said, ROSE would continue to advocate for automatic voter registration, and conduct voter education workshops.

She said the organisation would also provide avenues for dialogues on issues that were shaping Sarawak.

The Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS), meanwhile, wished to see mutual respect across races and people of different religions this year.

“Let us focus on making a difference in 2019. Recognise our similarities and accept our differences.

“Promote activities that nurture civic consciousness, patriotism, harmony and unity at all levels of society.

Refrain from actions that offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate others,” ACS secretary-general Ambrose Linang said.

He called on Malaysians to reject any form of discrimination, bigotry, extremism and actions that cause harm to others or disrupt harmony.
ACS, he said, would keep praying for government leaders, the judiciary, security personnel, civil servants and community leaders to carry out their duties with justice and compassion.
“ACS also continues to pray for healing and reconciliation among all the people of Sarawak. Let us take concrete steps to promote inter-religious dialogues which will promote the common principles of peace and harmony.

“This year, let us make Sarawak a better place for all of us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) president Dr Dusit Jaul called on the Dayak community to give priority to their children’s education this year.

He also urged the government to pay special attention to uplift Dayak educational attainment and to ensure politics and religion would not interfere in education matters.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online