Time to bury the hatchet
Wong calls on Chinese to unite or risk being left out of state cabinet
KUCHING: Senior state minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh cautions that the Chinese community will suffer if they continue to have only two representatives in the state cabinet.
He was referring to the present cabinet where besides himself only Assistant Minister for Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin of Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP) are the only two Chinese members.
“My point is political underrepresentation is no good for the Chinese community. You should come forward with all communities, together we develop this beloved state of Sarawak,” he said.
As such, Wong called on the Chinese to change their political attitude and approach to avoid further political polarisation in their community.
The Minister of Local Government and Community Development and Second Finance Minister said it was high time for the Chinese to focus on how they could move forward with other communities in the state particularly under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
“The Chinese need to work closely with the leadership of Chief Minister for the benefit of all communities because he stressed on inclusiveness of his government in trying to include leaders of all races to be in his government,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a letter of intent between Kuching City North Commission ( DBKU) and Dali Bai Ethnic Group Prefecture, Yunnan, China at the State Legislative Assembly Complex here yesterday.
Wong conceded the Chinese community had been quite “fragmented and disorganised political ly” given what had happened in the last couple of years.
However, he said now was the best time to reunite as the state had a chief minister who had
My point is political underrepresentation is no good for the Chinese community. You should come forward with all communities, together we develop this beloved state of Sarawak Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Minister of Local Government and Community Development and Second Finance Minister
made efficiency, good governance and transparency the hallmark of his administration since he took over the helm of the state government.
He added that Adenan had also shown he was willing to listen to the people including the Chinese and strived to solve the problems they brought up.
“He is ever ready to help and solve the issues and problems faced by the Chinese community. Such a chief minister at the helm deserves Chinese support.
“It is time for the Chinese to relook at the entire situation, reassess ourselves and see whether or not we should change our attitude of being confrontational, antagonistic and non- cooperative.”
Pointing out the need for the Chinese community to work with Adenan for the benefit of all, Wong said: “He stresses inclusiveness of his government and he would like to include leaders of all races in his government.”
Asked whether it would be possible to unite the Chinese, he said: “It is difficult. But I would like to appeal to the Chinese to come to their senses to really think twice. Now with such a leader, it is worth trying our best to change our political approach.”
On the fate of United People’s Party ( UPP) in the coming state election, Wong, the party president, said “… that one I leave it to the wisdom of BN leaders.”
When asked what would happen if UPP is not accepted into the fold of BN, he said: “When we reach the bridge, we will cross the bridge.”