KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Works Datuk Yong Khoon Seng, who is also Stampin member of parliament (MP), said he will always regard the people especially his constituents as his ‘towkay’.
Speaking at a ‘Ngling Tikai’ (closing of Gawai) dinner at Kampung Desa Wira Phase III here on Saturday, he said it was the responsibility of every assemblyman and MPs to serve their voters or ‘towkays’ well.
“They must remember that their constituency is like a corporate body and they are merely ‘Branch Managers’ appointed to take care of the business. The voters however, are the ‘Towkay’. Assemblymen must serve the people well to retain their confidence,” he said.
Yong reminded the voters that they were the shareholders of this big organisation called the Barisan Nasional Government.
He stated that it was very important for every assemblyman and MP to do all they can to please the ‘shareholders’ while managing their constituencies.
Yong even went on to say that as Stampin MP, there were many state constituencies under him, where he likened himself to be a ‘General Manager’ in charge of a few branches.
He pointed out that Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Environment) Tan Joo Phoi, who is also Batu Kawah assemblyman, who was also present, could be considered as one of the branch managers.
“You have entrusted your confidence to us. If the company fails you or your ‘manager’ cannot perform, then it is up to you. Our job is to bring the company forward,” he said.
The dinner that night was held at the half-completed multipurpose hall of the village.
At the function, Yong also announced an allocation of RM20,000 from his Minor Rural Project (MRP) fund to complete the construction of the hall.
He pledged that next year, he would allocate a further RM50,000 for the hall’s expansion project.
“I understand the problem you (the community) have to endure especially during gatherings. Renting a hall outside your village would be very costly as you also have to consider transportation cost.
“I am grateful that you have taken extra effort to build your community hall and raised fund for the building materials,” he said.
Tan who spoke earlier was happy to see that the ‘Ngiling Tikai’ was attended by many guests of different races.
“This is what 1Malaysia and national integration are all about,” he said.
Also present were village head and organising chairman Baie Aba and Kuching district penghulu John Tambie Awat.
The village JKKK’s treasurer Tam Lu Lim who was celebrating his 48th birthday was also given a surprise as he was presented with a birthday cake. The cake cutting ceremony was led by Yong, Tan and the rest of the committee members on the stage.
The highlights of the programme were ‘Ngetas Ranyai’ (cutting of gifts on a tree) and ‘Ngiling Tikai’ to mark the closing of Gawai celebrations.