SERIAN: The Chinese community here welcomes the development efforts of the government, saying these will benefit the people, including the business community.
Speaking at a Chinese New Year dinner where Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri (Dr) Richard Riot Jaem was special guest, host Lai Chou Leong said several ongoing developments in and around town were well-received by locals, especially the business community.
Lai who is chairman of the Serian Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the main organiser of the dinner, said the entreprenuering community was bouyant about future business once the new Serian township, the cultural centre, state administrative complex as well as several private developments came online.
Lai called on members of the Chinese community to give BN their undivided support in GE14, saying Serian was seeing many major developments, which showed the commitment of BN to the rakyat.
“Serian can consider itself lucky because the government is doing a lot and this will surely transform the future physical and the socio-economic landscape of the divison,” Lai said.
He added:”The business community has every reason to reciprocate the government efforts.”
In his speech, Riot said he was “moved and touched” by the gesture of the Chinese and business community of late.
“In the past it used to be that the Chinese community members were reserved about their feelings, particularly when it concerned politics.
“Tonight I am moved and touched by your honesty. I am happy because this same gesture and honesty was displayed when I was guest of honour at functions organised by the Chinese community of Kpg Muara Ahi near Mongkos, Kpg Muhibbah near here and Sg Menyan near Balai Ringin in recent days,” he said to loud applause from about 1,000 diners that packed Dewan Chung Hua Serian, Saturday.
The six-term Serian MP went on to reveal that the federal government via his ministry will
bring three major developments to Serian.
He said the federal government had approved building a National Institute of Safety and Health (Niosh) headquarters and rehabilitation centre in Serian to serve Sabah and Sarawak while the groundbreaking ceremony for an industrial training intitute (ILP) had been set for March 24.
He said some RM200 million was set aside for building the ILP, which will be able to accommodate 700 stay-in trainees in line with national 4.0 industrial revolution policy.
Besides, he said, Human Resources Development Fund headquarters would also be built in Serian.
“I am saying this because I want the business community and the people in general to be ready to be part of these developments and not just see as bystanders,” Riot reiterated.
“All these will be coming to Serian because I am from Serian,” he added.
Riot went on to announce minor rural projects grants to the Serian Chinese Chamber of Commerce (RM30,000) and Serian Public School (RM20,000).
Riot was accompanied to the dinner by among others, his wife Datin Sri Betty Mincha, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus and wife Clare, Temenggong Jee Ah Chiok and Pemanca Chai Min Lee.
