KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has called on certain quarters to stop labelling Chinese in the nation ‘pendatang’ (immigrants),
Wong (second left) shakes hand with Lee after Adenan (second right) raises their hands as a show of unity among them in supporting Chinese education. Looking on at left is Lau. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
He pointed out that the Chinese community could not be regarded as immigrants as they were fourth or fifth generations and were born in Sarawak when meeting the state’s Chinese School Association at Chung Hua Middle School No.1, here, yesterday.
“I wish to convey to the Chinese community that you’re here for hundreds of years for four to five generations. So don’t call the Chinese ‘pendatang’, not good. You’re Malaysian citizens and ‘anak Sarawak’. Maybe during your great grandparents’ time, yes but not now after four or five generations.
“You’re Chinese, sometimes you go to China to visit your relatives but after that you will come back here (Sarawak).
“You’re there (China) just for holiday and after that you come back because this is your home.”
Adenan said there was no need for the Chinese to be called immigrants considering that Malaysia and Sarawak were big enough for everybody.
Adenan also commends Chinese political leaders for putting aside their differences when it comes to supporting Chinese education.
In his speech, Adenan said he was very happy to see UPP pioneer committee chairman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, SUPP vice president Datuk Dr Lee Kim Shin and SPDP acting president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing united in their common quest to promote Chinese education.
“This morning I saw Wong Soon Koh and Lee Kim Shin sat together. Although they have differences in politics but both of them support Chinese education,” he said.