State govt offers land for Federation’s HQ

Abang Johari (centre) with (from fourth left) presiding chairman and president of the Federation of Chinese Associations for Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Division Datuk Richard Wee, deputy consul for the People's Republic of China in Kuching Zhang Yang, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, organising chairman Tay Boon Sin, assistant minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting, Datuk Wong Tiong Hook (right) and others cutting the federation’s 41st Anniversary cake at the dinner reception. Photo: Ramidi Subari

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KUCHING: The Federation of Chinese Associations of Sarawak will soon have a piece of land to set up its headquarters here.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the land was in the central part of this city.

“The federation in Sarikei mentioned to me that they needed a home. They need land for their headquarters, so tonight you get a bit of ‘ang pow’, that is, we will give land for your headquarters,” he said during the Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Division’s 41st anniversary and Chinese New Year dinner at Imperial Hotel last Sunday evening.

He said the state Cabinet had already agreed last week to give the land to the federation.

“I therefore hope this would further strengthen our cooperation, especially in the development of the state, and continue to cement our ties to build a prosperous Sarawak,” he said.

At the same time, the state government will continue to recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) which was first recognised by the late Tok Nan (Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem).

“Likewise, I will continue to recognise it. Education is important and we will continue to support Chinese vernacular schools because at the end of the day you can bring the UEC almost anywhere in the world,” Abang Johari continued.

He said UEC was recognised by universities in other countries such as the United States (US), Singapore and China.

“Today, you can see a lot of Bumiputera families sending their children to study in Chinese schools. This is our culture. But on the other side (Malaya), that is not encouraged,” he said.

Which is why, he said, Sarawakians need to protect and preserve their unity to ensure that the state continued to live in peace and harmony.

He assured that the state government would also continue to assist Chinese vernacular schools for which he has allocated RM9 million, up RM1 million from last year.
“I believe the assistance has already exceeded RM9 million because the Chinese elected representatives have also chipped in some funds for your schools,” he said.

Also present were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian and Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting.