WELL DONE: Nansian (right) congratulates Wong after the installation of the main committee members and signing of documents yesterday. Looking on are Pheng (second right), Lu (far left) and other members of the main committee.
KUCHING: The desire of the Federation of Chinese Associations (Hua Zong) to work closely with the authorities as a bridge linking the government and the Chinese community through dialogue is welcomed by the state.
Assistant Minister of Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie saidthis during the 16th installation of new members for the main committee, youth and women’s sections of Hua Zong Sarawak yesterday.
“I am inspired and I think the chief minister will also be inspired to hear that your community would like to go for moderation, would like to have dialogue, and would like to bridge the gap between community and government. We must not forget that we are all part of a nation and have to build it together. Your aspiration is most welcome.
“We cannot afford to have any section of our rakyat going in a different direction. The more we can unite, the better we can work together, the more accommodative we can be, the more we can work together for our common good and success,” said Nansian.
The Assistant Minister of Industrial Estate Development was representing Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
He said the community is privileged in that the government allows Chinese medium schools to be set up for children to be educated in their mother tongue. However moderation is a two-way street.
“We allow you to pursue your education but be mindful of the other communities because they also have their own aspirations and objectives. You have noble objectives, but so do they. We must learn to live together, be accommodative and live in moderation,” he said.
Earlier Kuching Samarahan Hua Zong Sarawak president Temenggong Lu Kim Yong reminded Hua Zong delegates to work together to foster unity.
“Today’s gathering depicts the solidarity and cohesion among all Federation of Chinese associations throughout the nation. We hope this unity will be sustained to justify us as an effective bridge between the government and the people. As an established community organisation, we serve our people regardless of races and social background,” he said.
Hua Zong Sarawak president Wong Aik Liong noted that what Hua Zong had achieved so far was the result of a good foundation laid by its earlier leaders and the undivided support of the community in the federation.
However, the greater challenge was communication between the community and the federal and state government, which was greatly reduced in the wake of the recent parliamentary and state elections, and it had become tougher to stand up for the people now.
Despite these challenges, the federation will continue to form partnership and play a role to bridge the gap through an honest, sincere, moderate and open approach.
Wong thanked the chief minister for the allocation of 2,000 hectares of land for the development of independent Chinese schools in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Hua Zong Malaysia Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah said moderation should not only be applied to politics but religion, education and other ethnic-based issues.
The installation was witnessed by China’s consul-general in Kuching, Liu Quan as well as Federation of Chinese Associations’ representatives from Peninsular Malaysia.