KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has called on the people of Sabah to continue strengthening unity, uphold the spirit of mutual respect and support every effort that contributes to the nation’s progress.
He said unity is not merely a slogan, but the foundation of political stability, economic prosperity and the well-being of the people.
“When the people are united, the nation becomes strong. When the economy grows, the people enjoy a better quality of life. And when peace is preserved, Malaysia will continue to be a nation that is respected and looked up to,” he said at the Sabah State-Level Intellectual Discourse programme at the Dewan Sa’adah, Wisma Muis, on Saturday (1 August).
The Chief Minister’s speech was delivered by Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Haji Mohd Ariffin Datuk Haji Mohd Arif.
“Today, the world is witnessing a growing wave of geopolitical turmoil that is increasingly shaking global stability. In many countries, wars, economic crises, inflation, political conflicts and humanitarian disasters have robbed people of their peace.
“Some have lost their jobs, some have lost their homes, and others have even lost hope.When peace collapses, the economy also suffers. And when the economy is crippled, the future of the people becomes uncertain.
“Yet amid the storms sweeping across the world, we must be grateful for the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon Malaysia, particularly Sabah. We continue to enjoy peace, unity and harmonious living among people of different races and religions.
“Our children are still able to pursue their education, places of worship continue to flourish, communities continue to live in mutual respect, and the economy continues to move forward, creating hope,” he said.
Hajiji said this peace and stability did not come by chance but was the result of the continuous efforts of both the State and Federal Governments to preserve stability, strengthen the economy, safeguard the people’s welfare and protect social harmony.
“What is happening globally may affect us, but more importantly, is how we maintain harmony, unity and stability within our own country.
“The public must be open-minded in assessing global issues, while at the same time maintaining independent judgment and not being easily influenced by narratives that could undermine national harmony.
“Therefore, we must continue to stand united, respect one another, work together and support the development agenda under the Malaysia MADANI framework and through the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda,” he said.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the spirit of mutual respect would continue to serve as the foundation of national unity.
On the programme organised by the Sabah Islamic Organisation (USIA), he said it serves as an important platform to enhance public understanding of current international issues.
He also described the line-up of speakers from diverse backgrounds as one of the programme’s strengths, as it enables participants to gain broader perspectives on geopolitical developments and contemporary challenges.
“The State Government will continue to support programmes such as this and hopes they will be held regularly in the future,” he said.-pr/BNN
