CM to Chinese: Remain with govt

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KUCHING: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said he would be upset  if the Chinese were not strongly represented in the government which he is confident of leading after the next state election.

STILL IN RAYA MOOD: Taib (fifth left) cuts a Raya cake during the Aidilfitri gathering. The others are (from left) Wong, Manyin, Dr Chan, Awang Tengah, Ting, and Sui Chuo. – Bernama photo

Community’s participation seen as plus factor both for state BN and Chinese themselves

“I have the support of my party and based on this support I believe I will have quite a comfortable majority. But I would be very sad if I form the next government without strong Chinese representation. So, please help me to make the Chinese progress together with other races,” he said during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering at a hotel here after opening a link road between Stutong and Jalan Lapangan Terbang here yesterday.

This is believed to be the first time that he called on Chinese voters to support BN in the next polls since he announced his intention to carry on leading the ruling coalition.

Taib stressed the importance of having representation in the government if a community wanted its voice heard.

“The Chinese may think it is not necessary to be in the government. Some people think it is enough to have someone who can shout, criticise and blame the government.

“But I tell you that is wrong. It is important for the Chinese to be united and make sure they have a say in the government and not outside. This is what you have to decide for the election,” he said.

He added that the Chinese must think about what would happen in the future if they lost representation in the government.

“Do you want to be the commentator of the government or part of the government?”

He pointed out that the essence of being a citizen “is to have a say in the government”.

“If you are a citizen and not represented in the government, your citizenship has only half the value.”

Taib noted that certain individuals were very vocal when it comes to criticising the government of the day.

He wondered what constructive ideas these people would contribute towards making Sarawak a more developed and economically progressive state in Malaysia.

“It is not easy to be the government. I always think of how to help every race and we need changes. To follow changes, we have to participate in the government and then you not only have the right to complain but also suggest what to do.

“People say bad things about the government or even me but they cannot tell me what to do to better the economy,” he said.

Met by journalists later, Taib said although he saw some “gap in communication between the Chinese and their leaders”, the Chinese must place their representatives in the government above all.

“Your representation is the most important thing. Many people can talk from the outside. Believe me I know it is better to be inside. And when you’re inside, you groom new people,” he said.

Asked whether the SUPP would face another setback in the next state election, Taib said: “I do not know. It is up to the Chinese to decide.”

On the definition of “comfortable majority” mentioned earlier, he said: “You count the seats.”

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, Global Upline Sdn Bhd adviser Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing and wife Puan Sri Datuk Wong Sui Chuo were among those present.