CHANCE OF A LIFETIME: When Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem went to SM Wong Nai Siong in Sibu yesterday to hand out the RM4 million grant to 14 Chinese independent secondary schools in the state, the students took the opportunity for a ‘we-fie’ with him and his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu.
Lau receiving a mock cheque for RM4 million from the Chief Minister (right) while Wong (left) and Jamilah look on.
SIBU: The 14 Chinese independent secondary schools in the state have been promised a grant of RM5 million next year.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem promised to increase the annual grant by RM1 million on the condition that he is still Chief Minister.
“Last year, you had RM3 million reasons to be happy. This year, you have RM4 million reasons to be happy.
“Next year, if I continue to be the chief minister, you will have 5 million reasons to be happy,” he said when presenting the promised RM4 million grant yesterday.
Adenan said assistance would also be given to aided Chinese primary schools.
“And I’ll continue to fight for the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
“The UEC issue has not been resolved because the federal government told me that you have to change the syllabus to make it Malaysian,” he said.
However, Adenan said as far as Sarawak is concerned, Yayasan Sarawak is ready to offer UEC students scholarships or loans.
“You are welcome to apply for the scholarships,” he said.
Meanwhile, Adenan reiterated that Chinese Sarawakians are not ‘pendatang’ (immigrants).
“You are not immigrants. Maybe your great grandparents were, but now you are the fourth or fifth generation. You are the citizens of Malaysia – Anak Sarawak,” he stressed.
Adenan also assured Sarawakians that they are free to practise their respective religions.
Present at the event were Adenan’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu, Second Finance Minister and Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, his wife Datin Sri Pauline Leong, Assistant Minister of Communications and Sports Datuk Dr Lee Kim Shin, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Rimbunan Hijau Group executive chairman Tan Sri Datuk Sir Tiong Hiew King, and Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee and Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming.