Sarawak the right pick for National Unity Week launch, says minister

State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah (centre) chatting with state National Unity and Integration Department director Dirwana Azol (third right) during the courtesy call.

KUCHING: Sarawak aims to showcase its unity and inclusivity when the National Unity Week celebration kicks off here at the end of May.

State Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said Sarawak was the right choice of venue as the state was a model of multicultural, multiracial and multifaith unity.

"We want to continue cultivating and preserving unity among different races and religions.

"We are now also promoting inter-generational unity among children, youths and senior citizens.

"In addition, we emphasise unity between federal and state agencies," she told reporters after receiving a courtesy call from the state National Unity and Integration Department delegation led by its director Dirwana Azol here on Tuesday (April 4).

She said inclusivity was also an important element of unity to ensure that no one was left out of society.

"We want those with special needs and the disadvantaged not to be marginalised but to be included in the mainstream. This is what unity means.

"It is not just unity among various races, religions and cultures but should also involve inter-generational unity, inter-agency unity and inclusivity," she added.

The National Unity Week celebration will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here on May 20.

Last month, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the week-long celebration would involve all states and include events such as a Unity Gallery programme.