Abdul Shukur Bin Idrus, the political secretary to the Bintulu Member of
Parliament, Dato' Seri Tiong King Sing said such unity could no longer be
taken for granted as it took generations to foster it.

"In a country of diversed ethnic groups and cultures like us, we should not
leave any room for friction to take its roots after a lot of efforts had
been given towards promoting unity in the country," he added.

When representing Tiong at a dialogue session organised by the District
Information Services Department at the longhouse last Sunday night, he added
that the longhouse living spirit deserved to be emulated by other
communities in the country.

By being close together, he said it would be easy for the government to
channel the necessary assistances, as well as to implement development
programmes that could raise their living standard.

The spirit of bringing people from all walks of life together is also
carried by the Barisan Nasional government, who had always advocated
democracy without discriminating any religion or race.

"As long as we are willing to work together and committed towards changing
our life for the better, we will be able to bring everyone to progress," he
added.

He also urged the longhouse residents to give special emphasis to their
children's education and not to give hardship in life as an excuse to deny
the new generation from going to school.

They were told that the government had implement a number of programmes that
could help children from poor families in the country to continue their
education and eventually able to contribute to the society.

"Parents must also remember the hardship faced by some of our leaders in
their early years of life to attain better living standard and such a spirit
should be promoted in themselves as well as their children," he added.

Earlier on, Bintulu district information officer Zubaidi Mohd Razat urged
the longhouse, being rural dwellers to request not only for facilities that
promote physical development.

"Special attention should also be given to human and social development in
your area, particularly the education of your children where the levels
would determine their future," he added.