Standing, Wong (eleventh left), Chan, the executive committee, Youth committee and Women committee in a group photo with the recipients of the Eldest Parents, Most Beloved Parents, Outstanding Couples and Most Blessed Parents award.
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia does not intend to sever its relations with China, said Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Chan Foong Hin.
He stressed that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government was not anti-China.
“Our government has suspended China-backed projects in Malaysia in order to review the projects in terms of our country’s interests.”
Chan said this when gracing the Mid-Autumn Festival luncheon organized by Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah here yesterday.
He said Democratic Action Party (DAP) was also invited by the Chinese Government to join Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s official visit to China recently.
“Our government’s stand on its relationship with China may be unclear, but basically Malaysia does not intend to sever ties with China.”
He said our country has halted China-backed projects in Malaysia for the sake of our country’s interests.
For instance, Chan said 87 per cent or RM3 billion construction costs of the Trans Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project from Kimanis to Sandakan has been paid but the project had only achieved 11.3 per cent progress completion.
“The PH government is not anti-China. But in the interests of our country, this project has to be reviewed.”
He said more people to people exchanges between both countries would build a better foundation for bilateral relations between the Chinese and Malaysian governments.
On another note, Chan said he had utilized his MP funds to organize a Mooncake Festival celebration at Gaya Street with the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) on September 29.
He hoped that members of the public would participate in the carnival to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together.
Meanwhile, Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah president Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen said filial piety and respecting the elderly was a virtue of the Chinese community.
She said the Mid-Autumn Festival was a day where parents, children and family members gather to celebrate the festival.
She said Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah appreciated the contribution of elderly members towards the development and progress of the association, adding that the association recently celebrated its 70th anniversary on July 7 this year.
At the same time, she said the association was also nurturing the younger generation as successors.
Wong also named Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law) Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Chan and Special Officer to the Ministry of Works Dr Roland Chia as the pride of Sze Yi clan. Liew and Chia are also the legal advisor and advisor of Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah respectively.
She hoped that the three leaders would strive to improve the wellbeing of the people in Sabah.
Meanwhile, Wong has been re-elected as the president of The Federation of Jiangmen Association Malaysia.
Liew, Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah life honorary president Datin Seri Panglima Chen Si Mui, Datuk Wong Ten An and Datuk Geoffrey Yee Lung Fook were also appointed as advisors of the federation.
The event yesterday included a singing contest to select the champion who will represent Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah to compete at the karaoke competition held in conjunction with the Sabah Sze Yip Chinese New Year Celebration in Sandakan on February 15 and 16 next year.