Wee (third right) presenting a token of appreciation to Uggah while Dr Sim (second right), Tan (fifth right) and others look on. – Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: The Federation of Chinese Associations Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions is looking to work together with the Sarawak government to boost the number of Chinese representation in the Sarawak civil service.
Its president Dato Richard Wee said there is still a lack of Chinese representation in the state civil service, a “long-standing phenomenon” that is happening throughout the country.
“We understand that the number of Chinese entering the civil service is still very small and we do acknowledge that there are various factors which may have contributed to this shortcoming,” he said at the federation’s Chinese New Year cum 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner which was graced by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at a leading hotel here last night.
While efforts from the government can be further improved in this respect, he acknowledged that the Chinese community must also shoulder its collective responsibility as well.
“The state’s government recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) as a qualification entry to the state civil service has eased the threshold for entry and it is a boost and encouragement for all aspiring applicants.
“On our part, it is our duty and responsibility to encourage our younger generation to consider advancing their career in joining our state civil service so that they can feel proud to be participating in the journey of nation building of Sarawak,” he expressed.
He thus proposed that the Federation of Chinese Associations Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions work together with the state government to conduct forums, talks, seminars and roadshows at schools, universities and within the Chinese community to educate and encourage more participation of students and young graduates toward achieving this goal.
“It is our hope that with these efforts, we will be able to achieve the long-term objectives of a more balance composition of the demography of Sarawak in our state civil service.”
Also present during the dinner were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and event organising chairperson Tan Cho Yian.