Joseph Kurup wants more sporting events to enhance unity

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup wants organisations in the country to organise more sporting events, claiming that they are the best platform to create and enhance unity among Malaysians.
The minister in charge of national unity cited the 2017 SEA Games, which marked the country's best ever outing in the biennial multi-sport event, as an example of his claim.
"If you went to coffee shops during the SEA Games, even those were packed with Malaysians from various races with one common intention, and that is to support the country.
"These are the moments of unity we want. And we must maintain this momentum of having a feel good factor in doing something.
"Organisations should organise their own games. This will inject that element of unity," he told a press conference after officiating the Moments of Unity 2.0, here, yesterday.
Malaysia emerged as the overall champion at the recently concluded SEA Games with 145 gold, 92 silver and 86 bronze medals, and will host the 2017 Para Games from Sept 17 to 23.
Moments of Unity 2.0 was organised by the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM), the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
It is aimed at cultivating patriotism and upholding the Rukun Negara, in particular among the business community, and in conjunction with the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.
Also present was NCCIM president Tan Sri Ter Leong Yap.
Earlier in his speech, Kurup said unity among the various races and religions has been a fundamental strength of the nation since its independence.
The minister alluded the country's various successes economically at the global level to the unity of its rakyat, adding that it is the essential ingredient for peace and harmony.