MIRI: Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting believe that lion dance can foster unity among Sarawak’s multiracial community.
“The lion dance, despites being a Chinese culture, is enjoyed by other ethnic groups as well,” he said.
Sarawakian of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, he added, had been living in harmony and had no issues with religion or culture.
“We have mutual respect for one another, hence it is crucial for us to nurture these values (respect each other’s beliefs) at an early age,” Ting told the press yesterday after performing a lion eye-dotting ceremony at SMK Chung Hua Miri.
“We need to promote different cultures and make sure this continues for our children.”
Ting also reiterated his ministry’s intention to look into the criteria and procedures to get Sarawak’s open house culture recognised by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
