Ethnic Groups, Orang Asli deserve equal rights - DPM
TENOM, April 9 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said all ethnic groups in Sabah, Sarawak and indigenous peoples in Peninsular Malaysia should be accorded the same rights by the government.
He said all ethnic groups in the country whether Kadazan, Dusun, Murut or Iban were the same and recognition should be given to all as they had high cultural values that must be appreciated and respected.
"A sense of pride among all ethnic groups is necessary because although we have different backgrounds, different religions and languages, we are Sabahans and Malaysians who steadfastly continue to support Barisan Nasional (BN) which takes care of all the multi-racial and multi-religious people and it is proven from the track record of BN,"he said.
He said this in his speech when launching the state-level Kalimaran Festival at Padang Pekan Tenom, here today, which was attended by about 10,000 people of various ethnic groups from all over the state.
Also present were Ahmad Zahid's wife, Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, representing Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, Sabah Murut Association (PMS) president Datuk Rubin Balang, state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun and Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Radin Maleh.
Congratulating Murut cultural dancers who had won an international level dance competition recently, Ahmad Zahid also called on other ethnic groups to bring glory to the country at the global level.
"We want other ethnic groups to demonstrate their capability to be world class because this is a pride we must inherit," he said.
He said that if in the past the Murut ethnic group had a hero, Ontoros Antenom, who was highly respected for having a hardy spirit and a charismatic leader who united the Murut people in Tenom.
"He was the hero of old, but now we have a few Murut warriors, namely Rubin, Radin and other PWS leaders, As such, I hope they are united.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid promised to continue to assist Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to fulfil the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
"We will return the rights of Sabah and Sarawak ... is it the current leader's fault when MA63 is not implemented? Why was Malaysia's longest (serving) leader not concerned about implementing MA63?
"The issue of oil and gas ... administration and enforcement and monitoring of policy implementation in Sabah. I support 100 per cent Sabah and Sarawak be given their rights back," he added.
Ahmad Zahid said the BN manifesto announced by the prime minister recently proved that there was no difference between the peninsular and Sabah and Sarawak.
"There is no difference between rural and urban areas. Wherever we are, we are still the same, Although Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula are separated by the South China Sea, we remain united as Malaysian unity must be maintained," he added.
-- BERNAMA
