Chief Minister walks the talk

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Adenan reaches out to Chinese community, willing to consider new piece of land for school board

(From left) Lau, Lee and Lu welcome Adenan (second right) on his arrival while Local Government and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh (right) looks on.

KUCHING: The Chinese Independent Schools’ Board has been given permission to find another piece of state land nearer to towns or in suburban areas which could generate immediate income for its education fund.

Living up to the expectations of the people as a chief minister for all and with people close to his heart, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem made the announcement at a closed door dialogue session with a cross section of the Chinese community including its youths throughout the state.

Initiated by the Ministry of Local Government and Community development (Chinese affairs) and jointly organised by three Chinese community leaders, Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming, Temenggong Lee Sie Tong and Temenggong Lu Kim Yong, about 400 people participated in the dialogue held at Borneo Convention Centre here.

When met by the press after the dialogue session, Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh the Minister of Local Government and Community Development said: “Adenan understands that the previous 2000 ha in the interior of the state given to them earlier would not be able to generate income immediately or in the near future for the board to maintain the schools.”

Wong also revealed that the chief minister said he was mulling over maintaining the lease of land after conversion or sub-division.

“The chief minister said it was only fair that 999 (leasehold) be given 999. What is perpetuity be given as perpetuity.”

Wong pointed out that Adenan lived up to his claim that he was a chief minister for everyone in Sarawak by responding positively to the problems and grouses brought up by the Chinese community during the dialogue session.

The minister who has been entrusted to look into Chinese affairs said apart from answering all questions, Adenan assured the Chinese community that he would not allow religious and racial extremists to fan discord among the people in the state.

“He (Adenan) talked about keeping Sarawak harmonious and united and he is very prepared to stop the racist, extremists, religious bigots to come to Sarawak to ‘cacao’ (disturb). He would make sure unity, harmony and stability among Sarawakians will prevail for a long time to come.

“If he is there, he will make sure that he is not just the Chief Minister of one community but he will be the Chief Minister for all, not just in words but in action,” said Wong.

On the event itself, Wong said it was successful and believed that it was only the beginning of more to come.

“This is the beginning. I hope to organise regional dialogue sessions – one in the north, another one in the central and one in the south, so that each region can tell the Chief Minister issues or problems peculiar to their own regions,” said Wong.

He said the purpose of the dialogue session was to allow the representatives from a wide cross section of the Chinese community from all over Sarawak to voice out their concerns and frustration.

Wong added Adenan gave the audience a pleasant surprise by addressing the grouses brought up during the dialogue directly with clear and candid answers.