Federation chief upset not invited to CNY gathering with CM
KUCHING: A prominent figure in the Sri Aman community yesterday expressed his disappointment for not being invited to attend a Chinese New Year (CNY) gathering officiated by the Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, in Sri Aman on Monday.
Federation of the Chinese Associations of Sri Aman and Betong Divisions president Dato Dr Ngu Piew Seng said he was neither aware nor invited by the event organiser to the auspicious occasion. Ngu also said he believed the Chief Minister was not informed by the event organiser on why he was one of those missing from the list of invited guests.
He said he wished to inform the Chief Minister and the general public that it is not right if such event is solely for Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP) Sri Aman members and /or associations controlled by them and community leaders aligned to them.
It is also wrong if the Sri Aman CNY event was not for the Sri Aman Chinese in general, he added.
“The main Chinese- based associations like Federation of Chinese Associations of Sri Aman and Betong Divisions, Sri Aman Chinese Chambers of Commerce, Sri Aman Teo Chew Association, Sri Aman Hakka Association and Simanggang Foochow Association were neither invited nor informed,” he pointed out.
If these associations are missing from events officiated by the Chief Minister, it will provide a wrong signal to the majority of the Chinese, let alone those harbouring negative perception of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, he cautioned.
Similarly, SUPP elected representatives should have an open heart to welcome all main Chinese community leaders irrespective of their political alignment to functions including CNY celebrations, Ngu added.
However, if the function is only intended for SUPP members or supporters then it should be clearly indicated as such, Ngu opined.