Henry (fifth left) joins (from left) Kong, Hii, Albert, Kiu Kiong, Jiang Ying, Vincent and other guests in the traditional tossing of the ‘yee sang’ at the event in Sibu.
SIBU: Sarawak Pan-Chen Lau Clan Association honorary advisor Dato Henry Lau hopes that the Lau clan could one day lead the way towards unity for the Chinese – a move that would one day place the community in a stronger position in the country’s politics.
“We (Lau clansmen) have many capable people who have made many good achievements in various fields, including politics. Some are in the opposition, some in Barisan Nasional (BN) and some are neutral. For most people, they can accept such a scenario but for the Chinese, it is not enough to gather all our strength,” he said in his address at the installation of the association’s office-bearers at a hotel here on Thursday night, which also doubled as its Chinese New Year gathering.
Adding on, Henry called on all members to not only take care of themselves, but also of Sarawak and Malaysia towards creating a fair and harmonious country.
“I hope that with this new year, we would have new dreams; my dream is for the Lau clan members to be united and lead the Chinese in Malaysia towards greater unity, and also for them to have stronger position in politics,” he stressed.
Henry pointed out that only through unity could the Lau clansmen preserve and pass on their unique culture and traditions from generation to generation.
He then urged fellow clan members to be concerned with the issue related to the delineation of power and also to play their respective roles in supporting the state government on this issue.
On the clan association, Henry said apart from building good relationships between members, its purpose was also to help the Lau folk thrive in their studies as well as to help the less-fortunate members.
On this, he pointed out the establishment of an education fund for members’ children four years ago under his leadership.
Meanwhile, the association’s Sibu chairman Albert Lau Pek Kii said they targeted to collect RM2 million for the fund this year.
So far, the members have raised RM1 million, with Albert himself donating RM200,000 while KTS Group chairman Lau Swee Nguong contributed RM100,000.
Other contributors donated between RM10,000 and RM30,000.
Albert hoped that the association could come out with a book on the history of Law King Howe and his contribution to Sibu.
Meanwhile, the association’s Sibu president Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau hoped that all his fellow clansmen could unite to strengthen the association, which he described as being ‘very unique’ because of the close kinship due to them sharing the same surname.
“We might share the same blood and our unique tradition has been brought down from generations to generations – that has created the unity among us,” he said. Nevertheless, Vincent also reminded all members that each and every one of them had the same responsibility to preserve such unique culture.
Meanwhile, the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching, Jiang Ying said Lau was one of the most common surnames among the Chinese.
“They have many capable people in various fields and have also contributed a lot to society.”
The event also hosted Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee, Sarawak Pan-Chen Lau Clan Association chairman Dato Sri Law Kiu Kiong and United Chinese Association (UCA) Sibu Division chairman Kong Hian Khim.
(From left) Henry presents the letter of appointment to Albert, as Vincent looks on.