BETONG: A century-old Chinese temple here emerged as a powerful symbol of unity and harmony when multi-ethnic communities came together to celebrate the birthday of ‘Xuan Tian Shang Di’ and the Betong Chinese New Temple festival.
Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, said the success of the event reflects the long-standing spirit of togetherness among the local community.
“The unity we enjoy today is our true strength. Without it, we would not be where we are now. Therefore, this harmony must continue to be preserved for future generations,” he said.
He said this at a dinner held in conjunction with the celebration at the temple grounds on Friday.
The Layar assemblyman noted that the temple is not only a place of worship but also a historical landmark with more than 100 years of heritage, symbolising the harmony of Betong’s diverse community.
He added that the close cooperation among the Iban, Malay and Chinese communities has long contributed to the district’s stability and development.
“If there were no Chinese community in Betong, other communities might not have achieved the level of development we see today. We complement one another, and this is our strength,” he said.
Gerald also outlined five key principles that must continue to be strengthened – unity, mutual respect, continuous progress, hope for a better life, and a shared future.
Meanwhile, Betong Member of Parliament, Datuk Dr Richard Rapu, said the celebration not only honours the temple’s history but also reflects Sarawak’s enduring multi-racial harmony.
“The uniqueness of Sarawak lies in the ability of its people to live together peacefully despite differences in religion, culture and background. This is the foundation of social stability and the state’s development,” he said.
He added that strong unity enables the government to focus on development, positioning Sarawak as a model of harmony for other states.
