KUCHING: The Sarawak government has reassured its inclusive policy approach for all ethnic groups in the state.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that when addressing social inclusivity, the state takes into consideration the various ethics in Sarawak.
“They (the diverse ethnic groups) must be included in all policies implemented by the government, be it economic and social.
“We are embracing all the ethnic groups under one umbrella that will propel Sarawak forward,” he said when officiating at the third International Conference on Science, Social Sciences and Humanities (ICOSSH) 2023 at Parkcity Everly Hotel, Bintulu today.
Abang Johari also said the fusion of cultures, beliefs, and collective efforts become the basis for Sarawak’s progress.
He added that under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 which aims to drive Sarawak towards becoming a developed state by 2030, relies on three crucial pillars namely, economic prosperity, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability.
“On the questions of social inclusivity, the late Tok Nan (late former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) is very serious about this convergence of ethnicities and cultures and this becomes a basis for us to move forward and to foster mutual respect among the various ethnic groups,” he said.
He also said this is why he supports the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) led by Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and for any research on ethnicity and culture.
“This is because this becomes the platform for us to understand the strength and weakness of our sub-ground and then of course to strengthen all ethnic groups. This is very essential when you talk about sustainability,” he said.
Abang Johari reiterated his commitment to support the Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Research Chair (Tok Nan Chair) at Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UMPKB) to intensify research on Sarawak’s ethnic groups.
“I can assure you the Sarawak government will back you up and support you in your endeavour to know more about our ethnic groups,” he said.
In 2021, the collaboration between UPMKB’s Faculty of Humanities, Management, and Science and the MTCP established the Tok Nan Chair.
Meanwhile, UPM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Ismi Arif Ismail said the establishment of the Tok Nan Chair led has ushered in several initiatives, including scholarships for Sarawakian students from Diploma to PhD.
“To date, eight students have accepted the scholarship covering the period 2022-2023,” he said.
“This will be realised by introducing new postgraduate fields of study – Master’s and PhD – under the Ethnic Studies Programme, which will be a full-fledged research initiative.
“Experts in ethnic studies will guide and supervise students in this programme,” he said.
He added the implementation of the programme would enable UPMKB to not only lead in agricultural and forestry sciences but to merge this with existing expertise in social sciences, thereby offering a multidisciplinary course. This means two specialisations will be available simultaneously.
“Therefore, I am confident that UPMKB will pioneer ethnic studies in Sarawak, in addition to making the state a knowledge tourism destination to showcase its rich cultural heritage and tradition,” he said.
