HANDING OVER: Wong (centre) hands over the presidential document to Chai after the latter’s official installation. Looking on at right is the federation’s deputy president Tiong Kiong King.
SIBU: The setting up of associations should not be construed as encouraging separatism. In fact, it should be viewed as an effort to unite under one roof.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who said this, hoped the existence of many associations would not spark off disputes.
“About a decade ago, a clan body proposed the setting up of an organisation which is similar to the present Federation of the 7-Clan Associations. But, the proposal ended up with a coordinative organisation to avoid possible conflict of interests among member associations,” he said at the 2012 Harmonious Night Gala dinner here on Sunday.
The gathering also witnessed the installations of the inaugural executive committee of the Federation of Seven-Clan Associations and Seven-Clan Youth Organisation.
Chai Then Sian was installed president of the Federation of 7-Clan Associations and Tiong Sie Keong the Youth chief.
Also present to witness the installation of the Youth organisation was Youth Advisor in the Chief Minister’s Office Larry Sng.
Wong, who represented Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, noted that the establishment of the federation had once sparked raging debates because certain quarters questioned the necessity for its existence since there was already a similar representative organisation.
“There were also numerous Chinese who wondered whether its establishment would cause disunity among the Chinese. There were even people who argued that the organisation had personal or political motives.
“Of foremost importance now is to maintain unity among the Chinese.
“Now that the federation has been inaugurated, I believe the Chinese community will judge its relevancy by monitoring its movements. We should allow the Chinese community to judge whether the organisation has created cracks among the
Chinese or strengthened their unity.”
He said all this while the United Chinese Association (UCA) had been acknowledged as the leader of the Chinese community.
Wong hoped the federation would play its role in forging close rapport amongst member associations and to complement UCA’s efforts in strengthening unity among the Chinese.
“Last week, Larry Sng and I had a discussion with the chief minister and other senior ministers on issues affecting the Chinese community.
“The chief minister hoped we, as elders, would guide the youths to acknowledge and handle social problems among the youths.”
In his speech after the installation, Chai said in the past seven to eight months, the formation of the federation had sparked controversies.
He said there had been comments and remarks, but none were from the federation.
“We acknowledge that UCA is the largest organisation representing the Chinese community.
“Until now, we are still cooperating with the UCA without any dispute. I hope we can fight for the interests of the Chinese community together with UCA.”
He said the federation was like a branch of UCA, each complementing the other.
The federation, he said, aimed to initiate change for the youths.
“We draw inspirations from the policy change in China in 1998 which resulted in the nation (China) catching up with other developed nations.”