CM calls for Chinese community to return to mainstream politics

MEMBERS of the Chinese community in Sarawak have been asked to return to mainstream politics.

Our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem made the call, pointing out that Chinese representatives are needed in the government.

That’s because we here in Sarawak acknowledge that ALL Anak Sarawak should have a role to play in governing our Great State.

We know that our Chinese brothers and sisters are not pendatang but fellow sons and daughters of Sarawak who should be able to participate in our beloved State’s development to even greater heights.

Adenan has made his stance very clear on the status of Chinese Sarawakians.

He has also demonstrated his great commitment to all communities.

For the Chinese community he’s consistently increased allocations for Chinese independent schools from RM3 million to RM4 million and now RM5 million.

He’s recognised the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and ensured that UEC holders can get the assistance they need to further their education through Yayasan Sarawak.

While others merely paint beautiful pictures of a utopia with their words, Adenan has put in place and realised actual policies for the benefit of all communities.

Let’s ensure he continues to have the mandate to do even more for our Great State.

The report from the Malay Mail:

Adenan Satem hopes for more Chinese to return to politics

By Kong See Hoh

SARAWAK: Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem says he sincerely hopes the Chinese would return to mainstream politics as the state government really needs Chinese representatives.

He said he would not abandon the Chinese and the policies he had implemented, which benefited the ethnic group, would remain unchanged regardless of the political situation.

“I will not say things like, ‘If you are nice to me, I will be nice to you.’

“My friends told me that there are signs that there will be a back swing in Chinese votes (in the coming state election), but how much (of back swing) is considered balanced is another matter,” he said in an interview with Sin Chew Daily published today.

Adenan stressed that the state government’s recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) is not a political gimmick to win votes but his sincere effort to help Chinese schools, which had made significant contributions in providing high quality education, including to bumiputras especially in rural areas.

“The federal government does not recognise UEC. That is its business. The Sarawak government recognises UEC and allows UEC holders to apply for job vacancies in the state civil service and scholarships.”

He said independent Chinese secondary schools have been overlooked by the federal government and as such, the Sarawak government is willing to help by increasing its allocation from RM3 million to RM4 million. It will be RM5 million next and the amount will keep increasing, he added.

Adenan reiterated that Chinese in Malaysia, particularly those from the second and subsequent generations are not “pendatang” on this land as they are born Malaysians and will die a Malaysian.

“China is not the home country of these Chinese, how can they be regarded as ‘pendatang’ like the Bangladesh and Myanmar nationals in Malaysia?”

Adenan stressed that the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and RM2.6 billion political donation will not impact on the upcoming state polls as they have nothing to do with Sarawak.

“The Opposition has associated these issues with Sarawak, saying that ‘a vote for Adenan is a vote for (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib (Abduk Razak).

“The fact is that these issues have nothing to do with Sarawak, or me,” he said.

He also stressed that although he has been fighting for the devolution of powers from the federal government to the state government, it does not mean that Sarawak wants to become independent.

He said any attempt for Sarawak to leave Malaysia is foolish.