Kuching, September 12, 2024, The Europe Today: As Malaysia prepares to celebrate Malaysia Day on Monday, September 16, Kuching Roman Catholic Archbishop Simon Poh has urged citizens to embrace unity and work towards nation-building. In his Malaysia Day message on Thursday, Poh emphasized the importance of moving beyond slogans and fostering genuine collaboration among Malaysians of all backgrounds.
“Let us truly be one people of Malaysia, celebrating our unity and diversity, mutual acceptance, and respect for all religions, races, and cultures,” Poh stated, highlighting the need for inclusivity and solidarity.
Reflecting on the recent Malaysia Games (Sukma) hosted by Sarawak, Poh said the event showcased the nation’s unity in diversity. He praised the opening and closing ceremonies, which brought together various cultures and ethnicities, demonstrating Malaysia’s strength in its pluralism.
“The Sukma Games allowed the entire nation to celebrate the talents and achievements of young Malaysians,” Poh remarked. “What captured the hearts of Malaysians is that Sukma celebrated our unity and friendship, respecting cultural traditions and honoring young athletes. This is the true spirit of Malaysians from Sabah, Sarawak, and the peninsula who celebrate Malaysia Day.”
Poh also called on Malaysians to embrace the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka’, as a symbol of integration and unity among the nation’s diverse cultures and ethnicities.
The national-level Malaysia Day celebration will take place in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, while Sarawak will hold its state-level celebration in Sri Aman on September 16.
