KUCHING: The Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg has hoped that SUPP President, Datuk Dr Sim Kian Hui and UPP President, Dato’ Sri Wong Soon Koh will set aside their differences and work together for the state’s benefit.
Speaking during the Federation Of Chinese Associations Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions Chinese New Year 2018 and 39th Anniversary Dinner at Imperial Hotel here on Wednesday night, he said that the Chinese community was more important than individuals and it would strengthen the state.
“I was then the Deputy President of PBB and by the convention, I should have occupied the Chief Minister’s position. But, I made way for the late Adenan to occupy the position so that the state can move forward,” he revealed.
He urged Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Local Government and Housing, and Wong, who is also the Second Minister of Finance and Minister of International Trade & E-Commerce, to do the same for the sake of Chinese community.
Abang Johari exclaimed that he was pleased to see both Wong and Dr Sim present at the dinner.
“I must extend my appreciation to the President of the Federation Of Chinese Associations Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions, Dato Richard Wee for bringing up the issue of unity,” said the Chief Minister.
He hoped that the Year of the Dog would produce some sort of rationalisation in the policies which would benefit the people of Sarawak and strengthen Sarawak’s position in the Federation of Malaysia.
“After all, we are working for our future generation. It is no longer 2.0, but is 4.0 – a new era. We prepare the youths for the new era and I hope in this Year of the Dog, we will work together to achieve our objectives to be a developed state by the year 2030,” he said.
He also thanked the Chinese community for their support and ideas that had been given to the government which enabled the government to produce new things and good policies.
“Last year, the State Government gave RM6 million to Chinese middle schools and this year, another RM7 million will be given to the Chinese middle schools,” added the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Wee disclosed that since Abang Johari became the Chief Minister, he not only continued the policies laid down by the previous chief minister, the late Tok Nan, but he had further expanded the policies by taking Sarawak to the forefront of the modern era of technology and new economy.
Also speaking were Zhang Yan, Acting Consul-General ofChina in Kuching and organising chairman, Wong Tiong Hook, Deputy President of the Federation Of Chinese Associations Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions.
Also present were Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth & Sports), Datuk Dr Jerip Susil (Assistant Minister of Transportation), Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang State Assemblyman and Chairman of Padawan Municipal Council), Michael Teo (Executive Advisor of the Federation of Chinese Association of Kuching, Samarahan & Serian Divisions).
