The group of Chinese community leaders and NGO leaders taking part in the discussion.
KUCHING: There were only two Chinese lawmakers in the last state cabinet, leaving the community almost totally out in the running of the state because all but two of the Chinese Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates lost in the 2011 state election.
Chinese make up 25 per cent of the state’s population, but the Chinese candidates are only contesting in 16 out of the 82 seats that make up only 19.5 percent of the state assembly.
As such, they must realise that even if they voted for all the opposition Chinese candidates, BN would still be the government, but their community would be completely shut out of the management of the state.
This was one of the conclusions arrived at an informal discussion during lunch hosted by president of Kuching Federated Community Associations Dato Sim Swee Yong for prominent businessmen and leaders from non-governmental organisations here recently.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Sim also call on Sarawakians to maintain and enhance the racial and religious harmony and political stability in the state by rejecting the unhealthy West Malaysian style of politics.
He pointed out that Sarawak BN parties have proven to be effective and consistent in planning and implementing development plans in the state.
During their discussion, the group noted that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem took a mere two years to achieve more for the state than what was done previously.
“If we all give our Chief Minister and his team a landslide victory, we have every confidence that he will help Sarawak to wrest back our rightful autonomy interests. This victory will determine the destiny and direction of the people of Sarawak,”Sim said.
The Chinese community is also grateful that Adenan acknowledged the contributions of the Chinese in the development of the state and declared that Chinese born in Malaysia are not ‘pendatang’ or immigrants as claimed by extremist groups in Semenanjung Malaysia.
Sim also thanked Adenan for the state government’s recognition of UEC, the Chinese school equivalent of the form six STPM certificate, and allocating annual grants for Chinese independent secondary schools.
On the opposition, Sim said while the group respect their role in providing check and balance in the government, the opposition elected representatives should argue their cases objectively and not resort to mudslinging and unruly behaviour in making their point.
The opposition should also realise that issues of GST, 1MDB or political donation were beyond the control of the state government ,and they should not try to link them to the state government.
The group also called on Sarawakians to preserve the autonomy rights of the state granted in the Malaysia Agreement.
“I hereby urge all Chinese voters again to fully support our Chief Minister and Team to safeguard Sarawak’s basic rights and interests as per the Malaysian Agreement.
“If certain voters are not happy with BN candidates, they should give their support to candidates from local opposition parties. Please do not bet your future on those who are remotely controlled from West Malaysia or Independent candidates who have no loyalty to anybody else but themselves. Please use this opportunity to make things right. Choose wisely,” Sim said.