‘Learn to be a true Hakka’

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DONATION PRESENTATION: Chin (seventh right) and Yong (sixth right) witness the handover of donation to the management committee of Chung Hua Middle Schools No. 1, 3 and 4.

KUCHING: The younger generation of Hakkas are urged to be ‘real Hakkas’ by learning their dialect, culture and tradition at events organised by Hakka associations.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng said to achieve this, the associations should work together to preserve and promote the tradition and culture of the Hakkas.

He said the Hakka community had contributed towards the development and well-being of society.

“It is sad to note that many of our younger generation today do not know how to speak their own dialect, what more to say the tradition and culture. Therefore I hope the associations will continue to work together to organise more events to promote Hakka culture and tradition,” Yong said at the five Hakka Clan (Taipoo, Hopoh, Kaying, Fui Tung Onn and Vui Neng) Associations’ Chinese New Year celebration dinner on Thursday.

Meanwhile, he urged the Chinese community and associations to move forward and change with the times so their voice would be heard, and take part in the government’s transformation programmes.

He hoped the Hakka community would continue to play an active role in society and share the fruits of development with the whole nation.

At the event, Yong gave out grants of RM10,000 to Taipoo Association and RM5,000 each to the remaining four associations.

Also present were Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin who is also Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president, Padawan Municipal council chairman Lo Khere Chiang, Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong and Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen.

The event also saw several schools receive donations from the associations.