Chinese must have courage to change – assistant minister

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KOTA KINABALU: Studies have shown that the Chinese are generally more conventional and are reluctant to embrace new innovations, concepts and methodologies.

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah said the Chinese must have the courage to change and move forward, or they would lag behind in the midst of modernization, particularly in terms of doing business.

Yong said the Chinese played an active and significant role in the nation’s development, particularly in Sabah.

However, he said conducting business the traditional way in today’s highly technological, modern and borderless era was insufficient.

As such, Yong said the Chinese must change their mindset, be proactive and embrace innovations and new concepts.

Yong said this at the fifth Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry installation ceremony here on Sunday.

Speaking of the Chinese chamber, Yong said the Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry had faced a lot of hardships in its early years, such as difficulty in recruiting members as most of them had joined the Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

In addition, Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry could not join Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) as Putatan is under the jurisdiction of the Penampang District Council.

“Since Putatan has become a district, its economy has thrived while commercial and residential units are mushrooming in the district.

“I believe more businesses will join Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” he said.

He added the installation ceremony, which was attended by over 900 guests all over Sabah, was an indication of the wide network of Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Frankie Liew.

“I hope chamber’s members will be united to face new challenges.”

On the other hand, Yong called on the chamber to submit a list of recommended candidates as Putatan district councillors.

He said businessmen in the district would have a deeper understanding of the issues on the ground.

Yong pledged that he and Deputy Chief Minister cum Petagas assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin would continue to pursue basic infrastructures such as fire and rescue services, hospital and police station in the district.

“I hope we can achieve these during our tenure.

“I also hope the Putatan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry will cooperate with the government and together put our efforts into this booming district.”

Also present at the event were Yong’s spouse Datin Mary Wong, Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Datuk Seri TC Goh, SUCCC president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah, SUCCC secretary general Datuk Ling Tiong Chai, SUCCC treasurer general Datuk Yap Yiw Sin, United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCA) president John Lim, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui, Datuk Paul Kong, Luyang assemblyman Hiew King Cheu, Tambunan Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Dato’ Oi Thiam Beng, United Sabah and Labuan Hakka Association president Datuk Jimmy Tham Yuk Leong, See Hua Group Sabah area general operations manager Ngu Ngiong Hieng, Sabah Publishing House Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Clement Yeh, Datuk James Hwong, Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah branch president Datuk Lau Kok Sing and organizing chairman Lo Su Fai.