Huazong urges focus on devt after Kimanis by-election
KOTA KINABALU: The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) has urged both the Federal and State governments to minimise political conflict and to focus on bringing development to Sabah after the Kimanis by-election.
“It is important that after the peaceful and democratic byelection, political situation in the country, Sabah in particular, must return to calm and peace, so that the people could continue to live in harmony and the nation could continue to progress and prosper.
“This is the unique feature of our country, Sabah included, and we must always preserve it for generations to come,” said its president Tan Sri TC Goh.
Goh, who is also president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) urged this while speaking at the closing ceremony for its 2020 Chinese New Year Carnival at Gaya Street here, on Wednesday.
The said occasion was officiated at by Liang Caide, the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu.
Liang also handed over RMB60,000 sponsorship to Goh, in aid of the organising of the event.
Besides hoping that the Kimanis by-election scheduled for tomorrow (January 18) will be a smooth and peaceful one, Goh also congratulated the winning candidate in advance.
He reiterated that both Federal and State leaderships must be seen to be serious and committed to bring about real developments to the state.
“The government must enhance its overall administration and delivery system, introduce new and innovative ideas, technology and knowledge, so as to create a conducive and vibrant investment climate to rejuvenate and boost our economy.
“Together, we must all strive for a vibrant economy, greater productivity in order for our nation to prosper and to become stronger.
“This is the ‘Malaysian Dignity’ that we all should strive for as a nation!” he stressed.
Goh further stressed that government leaders and politicians must always adopt the enduring principle of “One who wins the people’s heart gets to rule the world”, and to ensure moderation, harmony and mutual respect in upholding the agreement of the nation’s formation.
Besides this, he also expressed utmost gratitude to the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, for its generous support to FCAS’ activities like the annual Chinese New Year Carnival and the international dragon boat race, all these years.
“We, in FCAS, are truly grateful to the support given to us by the leadership of Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, all these years.
“It’s indeed a great encouragement for us in our continuous struggle to preserve and to promote Chinese culture and tradition in Malaysia, and Sabah in particular,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Liang hoped that the China-Malaysia Cultural Tourism Year 2020 would elevate the cooperation between Sabah and China in the field of trade, culture and tourism to the next level.
He said the Chinese consulate would do its level best to facilitate efforts in this area.
He said the exchanges and cooperation between China and Sabah had intensified in recent years, with the official visits of the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal, Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau and Datuk Christina Liew to China.
Additionally, he said the Changsha University of Science and Technology and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) had established the Confucius Institute here.
“For the first 11 months last year, close to 560,000 Chinese tourists have visited Sabah. There are more than 120 weekly direct flights from Sabah to China.
“Last year, more than 33,000 Sabahans applied for Chinese visa at the consulate,” he informed.
On another note, Liang was moved by the efforts taken by the Chinese community in Sabah in preserving and promoting the Chinese culture.
He was pleased to note that the Lunar New Year was celebrated by all ethnic groups in Sabah.
Liang said Sabah served as a role model to the world as we were the epitome of racial harmony and celebration of cultural diversity.
Also present were FCAS deputy president Datuk Jimmy Yong Kyok Ming, vice president cum organizing chairman Fung Chun Fatt, vice president Datuk Chua Soon Ping and vice president cum Women and Senior Citizens Bureau chief Sherley Wong Sat Ley.