KOTA KINABALU : YANG di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin called on young Malaysians to uphold peace and harmony to maintain the stability of the nation.
He said the government were focused on nurturing the younger generation who would become the nation’s future leaders.
“The nation is facing many challenges that threaten democracy, but we must learn to resolve these issues in a democratic manner in line with the existing constitution.
“It is our responsibility as Malaysians to learn to live together despite challenges. The people and the youth especially must remain united to achieve stability so the country and the state can develop,” Juhar said in his address to thousands of people at the state-level Malaysia Day celebration at the Likas Sports Complex here, yesterday.
Present were Juhar’s wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M. Jasni, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Sabah assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak and other state cabinet ministers.
“Our diversity and unity are our strengths in making all these possible, Juhar said, adding that Malaysians must continue working together.
Juhar said the strong relationship between Sabah and the Federal Government had brought economic development to the state.
In Miri, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the assumption that the Federal Government marginalised the development of Sabah and Sarawak was baseless.
He said the government spent a “big chunk” of the country’s coffers to develop both states.
“A major allocation has been channelled to Sabah and Sarawak for development in the rural areas.
“The same goes for infrastructure and education (for both states). Sarawak and Sabah are the top three states that received funding for Chinese vernacular schools.
“These three indicators are proof that such assumptions are not true,” he said after attending a dialogue session with members of the Federation of the Miri Chinese Associations here yesterday.
Wee, who is also MCA deputy president, said the appointment of several members of parliament from Sarawak and Sabah as cabinet ministers was proof that the Federal Government sought to stimulate development in both states.
“Perhaps, the appointment of (Petra Jaya MP) Datuk Fadillah Yusof as Works minister was to improve infrastructure in the state and he is doing a great job and (Semporna MP) Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is holding an important portfolio that is rural and regional development.”
In George Town, Penang, the historic Fort Cornwallis last night played host to the state-level Malaysia Day celebrations, which saw scores of people gathered for a night of commemoration for the special day.
Vibrant colours were the order of the night as cultural performances such as Penang’s very own Boria, an ethnic dance from Sabah and Sarawak and a special Gamelan performance were presented.
Guests at the celebration were also treated to a fireworks display at 10pm.
Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas graced the event. Present was Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
In Ipoh, the state-level celebrations was held last night at Dataran Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh witnessed by Raja Di-Hilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris Shah, who flagged off a cycling event, “Freedom Ride 2014”.
About 2,000 participants took part, including Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Bernama reported.
Many foreigners from Thailand, Singapore, Japan, England, China, Spain and Hong Kong also joined the event which aimed to promote cycling in the state capital.
In Pekan, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and state executive council members joined nearly 3,000 people at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Convention Hall for the state-level Malaysia Day celebrations.
The highlight of the celebrations were cultural dances by various ethnic groups in Malaysia, Independence Day poetry recitals and performance by a choir made up of 100 civil servants and students.
In his speech, Adnan urged the people of Pahang to unite and support the nation’s leadership, otherwise peace and harmony in the country could be destroyed.
In Bera, the Malaysia Day celebrations saw more than 300 Orang Asli from the Tasik Bera area and surrounding villages gathered at the Pos Iskandar Orang Asli Village field.
Pos Iskandar Orang Asli village headman Noriah Abas said the gathering was a sign of gratitude of the Orang Asli community to the government for all it had done to ease their plight.
They also held a village feast in addition to sports activities, cultural performances, poetry reading in their dialect and singing of patriotic songs.
In Kuala Terengganu, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry distributed 500 Jalur Gemilang to visitors to Kampung Cina in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebrations.
Its president, Datuk Low Kian Chuan, said such programmes sought to foster unity among the local population as well as to remember the country’s historic day.
The programme was among the Peranakan Festival activities being held for the first time from Sept 12 to 20. Additional reporting by Melissa Darlyne Chow