Chinese Cultural Village proposal gets support
SANDAKAN: Many locals including head of Chinese associations here supported the proposal mentioned by President of Sabah Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Association to set up a Chinese Cultural Village, first in Malaysia, here.
Sandakan Teo Chew Association Youth Chief, Eddie Chin opined that he supported the idea as it would be beneficial for the tourism industry in Sandakan, and at the same time promote Chinese culture among the local Chinese youth so that the Chinese tradition and custom would not be lost in time.
Chin suggested that the cultural village should not only showcase tradition and culture in China, but also the Malaysian Chinese.
"The Malaysian Chinese have different culture and tradition from Chinese in China. To truly represent the local Chinese, I suggest that the Malaysian Chinese culture and tradition should be showcased, and they are also equally colourful and interesting as compared to the China¡¦s tradition," he said.
Meanwhile, Young Malaysian Movement (YMM) Sandakan President, David Ong, said that the establishment of Chinese Cultural Village in Sandakan would bring new cultural elements to the people of Sandakan.
He also said that the village, if built, would become the tourism and economy booster for Sandakan which Sandakan desperately needs.
"I hope that if the Government decided to build the village here, they will make it into an attractive holistic package which would be irresistible to tourists," he added.
In response to a reporter’s question, all of the respondents agreed that the Chinese Cultural Village could save Sandakan from the stagnant economic growth that it is currently facing.