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Christmas carnival proof of tolerance: Pairin

Date Posted: 18 Dec 2008

Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the allocation from the Government to organise the Christmas carnival is proof of its concern and respect for all religions and cultures in the country.

He said this is what makes Malaysia unique compared to elsewhere.

"Indirectly, this has proven that the Government has implemented its policy on freedom of religion as enshrined in the constitution," he said when officiating at the Gaya Christmas Carnival 2008 at Lintasan Deasoka Wednesday.

He said Malaysians are the luckiest because irrespective of religion and race, they could join in the celebration of any festivity. The Christmas carnival, he said, is one example with the Sabah Council of Churches, City Hall and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) teaming up to organise the event.

"This shows Malaysias love their country, respect one another and are tolerant in order to maintain the existing goodwill and prosperity," he said.

Pairin said the Government welcomed any effort to promote social harmony, a caring attitude, tolerance and goodwill that strengthen unity in society.

It is for this reason it carried out various programmes with the aim of enhancing unity so that relations in society would be strengthened.

He said such socio-cultural programmes have attracted the attention of nations all over the world, including developed countries.

Many, he said have visited Malaysia to learn of its success in moulding a progressive, united and tolerant nation.

Among the programmes were the joint celebration or Open House during Hari Raya, Christmas, Chinese New Year and Pesta Kaamatan.

Meanwhile, Pairin reminded to revellers at the Gaya Christmas Carnival to dispose of their rubbish into the nearest bins. He said the aim is to turn the carnival into one without rubbish considering the event is an annual programme.

City Hall is striving to make it a litter-free city and needs the support of everyone. "Very often after an event or celebration, we see the local authority working hard to clear the venue of the rubbish thrown indiscriminately by the people," he said.

While the Government actively promoting tourism in the State, he said the organising of such events is not the deciding factor to attract foreign tourists into Sabah.

"Do our part as responsible and disciplined members of society and throw our rubbish into the designated bins," he said.

He also suggested the preparation of the carnival next year be implemented much earlier so that the event would be one of the highlight events of City Hall.

"This is to enable the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to promote the event to attract tourists to visit KK City," he said.

The Christmas carnival was organised jointly by the Sabah Council of Churches, City Hall and Sabah Tourism Board (STB).

(Source: Daily Express, 18 Dec 2008)

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