By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 8: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) cannot form the government and develop the State without the Chinese, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He explained that the Chinese play an important role in the development of the State and therefore, it is necessary for Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) led by its president Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and his comrades to represent the group in the government.
“I have tasked Dr Sim to head (a special unit overseeing assistance to) aided Chinese primary schools in the State.
“With this, we can automatically give financial aid worth RM10 million to Chinese schools every year,” he said when officiating at the launch of the Batu Kawa Riverbank Park held onsite here today.
He also mentioned that he and his predecessor, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem (Tok Nan) have always shared the same thought that it is a loss if Sarawak does not recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), an examination taken by students in Chinese independent schools.
“Other countries like Singapore, Australia and United States have recognised the UEC, therefore we followed suit. This is because we want our people to be educated and they can help to develop our country,” he added.
Abang Johari also said Sarawak has a bright future provided that it has dedicated leaders like Dr Sim who he described as a hardworking leader who always visits his constituency to meet and hear the grouses of his constituents during the weekends.
“Unlike some quarters, they do not meet the people. Their talk are just hot air but they do not deliver what they have promised,” he pointed out.
He also cited a Malay saying ‘Jangan biarkan pisang berbuah dua kali’ which is equivalent to the English idiom ‘Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me’.
In other words, he urged the Chinese to not let history repeat itself and let themselves be tricked again by the Opposition.
“That is why I urge the Chinese people to back up or support SUPP as a partner in GPS so that we can develop our State properly,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
