Wong shares some fun with these children by posing for a photo.
SIBU: The desire to help further prosper Sibu is what drove Bawang Assan incumbent Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh to the battlefield again for the May 7 polls.
In a press statement yesterday, Wong, who has made Bawang Assan a BN stronghold since the ‘90s, said Sibu deserved more even though it had gone through great transformations since the 1990s.
The development must not stop here now, he opined.
“I have received advices asking me to retire gloriously as the current term ends. I have also been asked not to seek re-election, but I know I have to fight on to accomplish the tasks.
“There are also people saying the wind of the opposition was sweeping through, and there could be underground current in Bawang Assan, too.”
Wong said he told these people he would be sad if the wind of the opposition swept away the Chinese community.
He said he had received great support from the Bumiputra community, and he had been giving the same care and concern to the Chinese community.
He said he knew he had to care for the Chinese community while caring for the Bumiputra community because he was the only Chinese minister in the cabinet.
“The flight of Sibu development must continue to soar. A lot has been accomplished, some are on-going or have just started, while others are being considered and drafted. Can I turn my back and wash my hands?”
Wong said he had assumed various posts in his political career, from being a Speaker of the State Assembly to being a senior minister and holding various portfolios.
“I am satisfied with my personal political achievements, but Sibu is a home we share. We must soldier on.”
On his tasks, he said University College of Technology of Sarawak was progressing well, there is a need to further transform Sibu, solutions to traffic woes, building of a satellite town in Sibu West Bank, direct air-link with international routes, foreign investments for Sibu, job and business opportunities for youths, and others.
Wong recalled he was once belittled by the opposition when he led a team to build University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS).
“This university is now standing tall in the sun. It is among the few universities in Malaysia that will soon have its own Technology Park. The university belonging to Sarawak Government is the first in Malaysia to achieve the Green Building Index (GBI) `Platinum Index’ rating.”
Wong assured he would stay on in TeamAdenan to play an active role in Chinese education development, protect Sarawak’s autonomy and carry out other agendas to lift Sarawak.
He said he was looking forward to the next five years to materialise dreams for Sibu and motivate youths to play more efficient political roles
“Sibu is blessed with young talents. They have a passion for their home. They must be nurtured and given a platform to contribute ideas. This is why Sibu Municipal Council has absorbed members of NGOs as councillors and given platform for them in Sibu Youth Council.”
On youths who had been active in social networking and given constructive opinions on the Internet, he said he welcomed them to put their voice into action.
“There will be more roles and plans for them. We shall recruit more youths and give them bigger roles.”