SUPP Pujut Branch Celebrates Chinese New Year Multi-ethnic Crowd Rejoices Together

(Miri, 2nd) The SUPP Pujut Branch held the N74 Pujut Area Chinese New Year Gala last night in the parking lot in front of its service center, creating a lively atmosphere. People from various ethnic backgrounds attended enthusiastically, celebrating the Lunar New Year together.

Branch chairperson and state assemblywoman for Pujut, Mayor Yii Xiao Shan, expressed in her speech that she was very pleased to see so many people participating in the celebration. She offered Chinese New Year greetings in Mandarin, wishing everyone a happy New Year, and noted that the evening was not just a day for the Chinese community to gather and celebrate, but also reflected Sarawak’s harmonious multi-ethnic society.

He said that among the attendees that night, apart from the Chinese community, there were also indigenous and Malay compatriots from different ethnic groups, joining the celebration together and embodying Sarawak’s tradition of ethnic harmony and unity. He added that similar celebrations will be held during the upcoming Hari Raya and Gawai (Harvest Festival) as well, so that Muslim and Dayak friends can celebrate the festive seasons together.

Yii Xiao Shan noted that in recent years, many West Malaysian friends have envied Sarawak, and one important reason is the state’s long-standing ethnic harmony—people from all walks of life get along without much religious or racial conflict.

He said the second reason for this admiration is Sarawak’s implementation of free higher education this year. Students who enroll in state-owned universities will have their tuition fully covered by the state government, and each student can also receive an annual allowance of RM1200, easing the financial burden on families.

In addition, he said Sarawak also pays great attention to balanced development for all religions. The state government has set up the "Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR)", helping non-Islamic religious organizations with administrative and developmental needs. This year, related funding has reached as much as RM1.11 billion, benefiting many temples and churches in Miri.

However, he reminded that there is no absolute freedom in this world, and society must be built on a foundation of mutual respect and tolerance. Only by respecting and accepting differences can a truly harmonious society be established. Yii Xiao Shan also emphasized the importance of unity.

He pointed out that Sarawakians must maintain political unity in order to fight for and reclaim Sarawak's rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), especially regarding the state’s oil and gas resources.

He said that without political unity, it would be very difficult to fight for these rights. Only by Sarawakians standing together in unity can greater benefits be achieved in negotiations with the federal government.

On the occasion of Chinese New Year, he offered blessings to people of all ethnicities and wished everyone health, success, and "instant wealth" in the Year of the Horse.