By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, June 7: Many people have the wrong perception that Sarawak Foundation (Yayasan Sarawak) is exclusively for the Bumiputeras and Malays, says Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He stressed that the foundation provides scholarships and assistance to all races as long as they are Sarawakians.
“In the Board, they have a Chinese representative who is Datu William Lee Boon Tong.
“And when we want to give scholarships, it is deliberated in the Board because we want to be fair to all communities.
“However, sometimes, people spin (the matter) as if Sarawak Foundation was only meant for Bumiputera and the Malays alone which is wrong because we have representatives of all races in the Board,” he said when officiating at Sarawak Foundation’s 50th Anniversary event held at Pullman Hotel here earlier tonight.
Abang Johari further shared that even Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian did not know that Lee is representing the Chinese community in the Sarawak Foundation.
“Earlier, I asked Dr Sim whether he knows that William Lee was in there (board). He said he didn’t know. Even the minister has just gotten to know that there is a Chinese representative (in Sarawak Foundation).
“This, I want to mention this lah so that people get the right info about Sarawak Foundation,” he added.
Abang Johari who is also the chairman of Sarawak Foundation disclosed that it has provided scholarships and assistance to 2,825 students in University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) in Sibu; 3,165 students in Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs); 8,853 students in Curtin University; and 7,427 students in Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus. — DayakDaily
