DEBAK: The aspirations of the Tiong Hua community in Saribas have never been ignored or sidelined, but have been given the same attention as those of other races.
Its assemblyman Mohammad Razi Sitam stressed that the issue of majority or minority was never an issue and as such was never raised.
“Saribas is indeed the seat of the Malay majority, but in my leadership as an elected representative everything is the same, including those of the Dayak or Chinese communities.
“Therefore, everything that is aspired by the Tiong Hua community here is given equal attention, especially in education at SJKC Chung Hua Debak.
“Because, there most of the students are multi-racial and it is not possible for me to sideline what they want and convey to me,” he said.
The Assistant Minister of Community Welfare Development said this after a symbolic handing over of mandarin oranges to about 150 members of the Tiong Hua community in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration, in Pekan Kecil Debak, on Sunday (Jan 22).
He explained that the presence of the people involved in the Debak Sub-District helped a lot to improve the economy of the area, as well as the local community.
Razi hoped that they would continue to give strong support to his leadership as before.
“I am grateful to the Chinese community in Saribas who voted for me in the last 12th Sarawak state election.
“I hope that such support continues and together we change the landscape of Pekan Kecil Debak to be more modern.
“I believe all that can be done with strong unity between races and religions here,” he said.
Razi was also confident the residents would abide by the Chinese New Year standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government.
Betong District Officer Sofhi Jebal, Chinese Kapitan Debak Tan Xiao Ping and SJKC Management Board chairman Chung Hua Debak Lim Ming Hai were also present.
