Hii gets more support as new SMC president
SANDAKAN: The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Tan Sri Dr TC Goh has urged the people to respect the decision of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal in appointing Datuk Peter Hii Chang Lik to take helm of SMC.
He pointed out that the appointment of SMC president was the prerogative of the Chief Minister.
“Sabahans have voted for a change in government in hopes for a better future.
“I believe the Chief Minister has his reasons in appointing Hii as the new president of SMC and we should respect his decision and trust his wisdom.”
Goh also urged the people to give Hii a chance to do his job during the latter’s threeyear tenure before judging his performance, instead of attacking him for originating from Sarawak.
“Perhaps Hii has the experience, attitude and qualities to bring a brighter future and progress to Sandakan.
“He should be given time and opportunity to do his job,” he said in a statement.
Additionally, Goh said it was unfair to refrain Sabahans who originated from Sarawak or West Malaysia from holding important positions in the government.
“Some Sarawakians or West Malaysians have raised a whole family in Sabah, paid their taxes, contributed to the economic development of the State, as well as supported Chinese education, temples and infrastructure development.
“Why is it acceptable for these individuals, who very much consider themselves as Sabahans, to donate to local schools and places of worship, yet when it comes to appointing them to important government posts, they are instantly labelled as non-Sabahans?”
He said many Sabahans have migrated overseas to Hong Kong, Australia and Canada.
“How many of these migrated Sabahans have lent a hand when the State needed the most? Or do they still contribute taxes to the State Government?”
Goh said the State Government led by Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) offered new hopes and new leadership to Sabah.
“We should look beyond the present. The world has become borderless and we can no longer work in silo.
“We should be working together as a team to support the government’s policies and efforts, and at the same time, increase our productivity.”
He said the people should be more open-minded and be willing to accept leaders who truly wanted to serve the state of Sabah, regardless of his or her origin.
Meanwhile, the Sandakan Indian Association (SIA) has expressed its strong support for the appointment of Hii as the new president of Sandakan Municipal Council.
“It is good that our Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal has approved a non-government officer to the post. SIA fully supports Datuk Peter Hii as the right choice for the post. He is a successful businessman with vast experience. His long established business background will certainly be of great help in making decisions to boost the economy of Sandakan,” said SIA president Taren Sunil Manoharan.
He also pointed out that as a businessman, Hii would be in a better position to understand the problems faced by the business community here.
“He will be able to look into the problems of Sandakan from a different perspective. We are confident that he will be able to revive the local economy and bring Sandakan back to life. We wish him the best,” he said.
Meanwhile, the SIA president again asked for more equitable representation in the various town councils in Sabah.
“We hope our new SMC president will implement our previous calls for Indian representation in the Sandakan Municipal Council so that local Indians will have a platform to voice their suggestions and opinions,” he said.
He pointed out that SIA’s appeals to the previous government authorities had gone unheeded for a long time.
“We hope to be given a chance to prove that the Indian community can provide vital feedback and contribute useful suggestions for the progress of Sandakan,” he added.