By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 30: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stresses that the existing Chinese schooling system should not be ignored as it contributes to the development of Sarawak’s human resources.
As proof, he cited China’s national economy which precedes Sarawak’s human resources development in the context of the State’s regional economic influences.
He also pointed out that the Chinese community placed great emphasis on the education of their children.
“Wherever there are Chinese settlements, there are also schools.
“As an inclusive government, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) State government continues to provide annual assistance to 14 Chinese private secondary schools throughout Sarawak,” he said in his 2022 Chinese New Year (CNY) message today.
He also highlighted that he had recently presented a State government grant of RM10 million for this purpose, and as a continuation of the efforts initiated by his predecessor, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
“Apart from that, the State government also provides assistance to Chinese primary schools where up to 60 per cent of the students are Bumiputera,” he added.
Abang Johari expressed hope that Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrants would enjoy the festivities with their immediate family members despite the Covid-19 pandemic, especially those who have not returned to their families for a long time due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) that has been imposed in the last two years.
He also wished that the Year of the Tiger would bring prosperity, strength in unity, good health and deliverance from the Covid-19 pandemic.
While Sarawak has entered Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) and the number of daily infections has dropped to 2-digit-figures for some time already but Abang Johari reminded the people of Sarawak to be vigilant to prevent another spike.
“We should acknowledge that all the hard work of Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and our frontliners, and the well rolled out vaccination programme is paying off.
“I do hope that the few hundred thousands of people who have not come forward to receive their booster doses would do so as soon as possible in order to have their immunity against Covid-19 further strengthened,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
