At the recent signing of memorandum of understanding between Sarawak Energy Bhd and Bakun Charitable Trust for Bakun Resettlement Scheme Education, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg shared his vision of Sarawak becoming a “Little China”.
” What Sarawak has in abundance is clean electricity generated by hydroelectric dams and the labour force needed by manufacturing plants. The state is also blessed with kind weather and free from natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and typhoons. “
While “Little India” is universally known as an enclave with a high concentration of South Asian shops and restaurants, and Chinatown a district with population that is of predominantly Chinese origin in a non-Chinese city, “Little China” seems to be a new term coined by the Chief Minister.
I think it was a great master stroke for branding. “Sarawak – Little China” will stick in the minds of many people, including 1.42 billion Chinese living in China, 31.6 million in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau combined, and another 51 million Chinese diasporas spread around the world.
Such branding is bound to promote tourism and investment into Sarawak. While it is too big for the entire state to be turned into another Shenzhen and unwise to concentrate manufacturing in one spot, existing factory zones could be expanded, or new ones created at many cities and large towns.
And what Sarawak has in abundance is clean electricity generated by hydroelectric dams and the labour force needed by manufacturing plants. The state is also blessed with kind weather and free from natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and typhoons.
” Food producers in Sarawak should take a leaf from those in China, where many farmers are marketing their produce online and have grown wealthy, no longer dependent or at the mercy of middlemen. “
Apart from more than 40 sub-ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language, culture and lifestyle, Sarawak is also home to ethnic Chinese speaking in many dialects such as Hakka, Hokkien, Teochew, Shanghainese, Hainanese, Cantonese, Fujianese, Foochow and Puxian Min.
Many clan associations are found in Sarawak, either for people of the same dialect or surname. While those of the same dialect may have different surnames, it is intriguing why people with the same surname may speak in different dialects.
While tourists would find other cultures quaint, they are also interested to compare their traditions with similar people living overseas. Ethnic Chinese from other countries would be captivated with how Sarawakian Chinese preserved or localised their custom.
And they would certainly relish the great food dished out by local Chinese, more so with nature churning out great produce by local farmers and the abundance of seafood and great river fish, none more famous or expensive than the empurau.
Many tourists and wealthy men fly in regularly for a taste of empurau in Malaysia. Five years ago, tycoon Dr Peter Lam, who is Hong Kong Tourism Board chairman, flew to Malaysia in his private jet to taste the empurau, and also brought home five local freshwater fish worth about RM17,000.
While the rich and famous are used to getting VIP treatment everywhere they go, ordinary folk would be deeply touched if they are treated like royalty unexpectedly. For example, a budget tourist or backpacker receiving great hospitality from strangers in a small town or village may return years later to set up a factory to repay the kindness received.
Tourism and investments are symbiotic. A country, state, city or town that welcomes visitors is bound to attract many tourists to return for holidays or investments. And Sarawak has the recipe to attract many people from China and within Asean.
Few people realise that the largest group of Asean travellers are ethnic Chinese and Sarawak is a treasure trove of nostalgia for those sentimental with old shophouses and streets, where traditional Chinese businesses have survived over the past decades.
Each family business has an enchanting story to tell, more so if they are in trades that involve skills or those producing raw or cooked foods. Apart from consuming on the spot, others could be taken away such as biscuits and coffee powder.
Food producers in Sarawak should take a leaf from those in China, where many farmers are marketing their produce online and have grown wealthy, no longer dependent or at the mercy of middlemen. The new economy rewards anyone who can produce quality products.
When factories are busy manufacturing for the world market and the lives of farmers transformed in the digital edge, Sarawak will be what China is today – a country with the world’s second largest economy and the largest number of domestic and outbound tourists the world has ever seen.
With the Chief Minister not only open but creating the concept that Sarawak can be ‘Little China’, it will be fait accompli in my book.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Sarawak Tribune.
