Kota Kinabalu: Unity, harmony and stability are vital foundations for Sabah’s peace and prosperity.
Head of State Tun Musa Aman said Sabah is home to more than 35 ethnic groups and hundreds of sub-ethnic communities, each with its own customs, languages, beliefs and traditions.
“However, this diversity has never hindered us from building a strong, shared Sabahan identity.
“The level of mutual respect and the close bonds among Sabah’s diverse communities are so deeply rooted that intermarriage has long been a normal and natural part of our society.
“We have learned that we do not need to be identical to be united; rather, we celebrate each other’s festive occasions, open our doors to friends of different religions and ethnicities and stand firmly in support of our neighbours in times of hardship.
“The peace and harmony we enjoy must never be taken for granted.
“We must strengthen the ties that bind us and not allow racial, religious or political differences to undermine the harmony that generations of Sabahans have worked so hard to build,” he said at the National Resilience College Dinner with Tun Musa.
Tun Musa said unity and harmony are not merely social ideals, but also form the foundation for stability, security and prosperity.
“No state can reach its full potential if its people are divided.
“Businesses and investors require confidence, while families need the assurance that their children can grow up in a peaceful, safe environment filled with opportunities.
“A peaceful and stable Sabah enables us to focus our efforts on raising the living standards of the people, creating economic opportunities, strengthening infrastructure, improving education and healthcare, and ensuring that development reaches communities across the entire State,” said Musa.
He called on all parties to continue working together to preserve Sabah’s peace and harmony, and to ensure these values are passed down to future generations.
Also present was National Resilience College Commandant Major General Datuk Saiful Bahari Zainol.
