Minister of Housing and Tourism YB Datuk Amar Haji Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Haji Openg going through the message board, after putting up his message note, as he makes his way to officiate the Kuching International Forum on Unity (KIFU) at Pullman Hotel, Kuching on Sunday, 2 August, 2015.
Over 450 registered participants consisting of government agencies, non-governmental organisations and students from public and private education institutions attended the first forum of its kind, organised by 1Malaysia Foundation in collaboration with the Sarawak Government in conjunction with the declaration of Kuching as ‘City of Unity’ on 1 August.
It aims to encourage intellectual reflection on the challenge of promoting unity; persuade policy-makers to pay greater attention to the role of grassroots in nurturing and nourishing inter-religious and inter-ethnic empathy and solidarity; and serve as a basis for fresh comparative studies of inter-ethnic relations and inter-religious ties across the globe which could enhance the understanding of how different communities interact with one another and assist in devising policies and programmes that are more attune to their needs and aspiration.
Representing Chief Minister YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Adenan Haji Satem, YB Datuk Amar Haji Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari noted two main attributes that make Kuching a city of unity within Malaysia: Sarawakians working together for a common cause, namely to make the State capital and Sarawak a peaceful, progressive place, and in the process trusting each other regardless of race and religion.
He also extended his appreciation on behalf of the State Government to 1Malaysia Foundation for giving Kuching the recognition as ‘City of Unity’ following months of research on unity in cities within and outside of Malaysia.
Present at the ceremony were Assistant Minister of Tourism YB Datuk Haji Talib Zulpilip, Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Rural Areas) YB Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi anak Utom, 1Malaysia Foundation chairman Dr Chandra Muzaffar and 1Malaysia Foundation Board of Trustees member YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Seri Lee Lam Thye.
