Over 70 greetings in ethnic dialects earn Miri’s Sarawak Unity Bridge place in records book

MIRI (Nov 2): The first Sarawak Unity Bridge has entered the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for having engravings of over 70 greetings that represent various ethnic dialects.

The bridge, built in connection with the ‘Taste of Borneo Festival’, is described as a powerful symbol of the state’s unity and cultural diversity.

The official opening of the bridge was declared by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today.

The event’s organising chairman Harry Lee, in his welcoming speech, hailed the bridge, located at Bulatan Park here, as ‘a testament to the spirit of unity in diversity in Sarawak’, bringing together over 30 ethnic groups and connecting the communities through shared heritage and values.

“It took six months to design and build the Sarawak Unity Bridge. The engravings are the greeting ‘How are you?’, translated in over 70 ethnic dialects.

“The design of the structure is inspired by the bamboo bridge, which can be found in most rural areas in Borneo. It symbolises the connection among all the ethnic groups as we all live together ‘Segulai Sejalai’ (United in Moving Forward).

“This bridge represents the power of collaboration amongst us all, whether we are from the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Melanau, Orang Ulu, Bidayuh, Kedayan or other communities.

“When we are united, we can achieve something significant,” said Lee.

Moreover, Lee praised Abang Johari’s leadership, remarking Sarawak as ‘a model of unity in diversity within Malaysia’.

Also present were Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister of Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; Mayor Adam Yii; and Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon.