By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, July 20: President of Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian, Dato Richard Wee, hopes to see more racial integration among various races through interactions and activities conducted by guild associations.
This has pushed him to accept the challenge thrown at him by the federation’s committee, which passed a resolution that he should contest for the presidential post of Chinese Associations of Sarawak (Sarawak HuaZong).
“The other thing which I will try to promote is that, I would want to see whether Sarawak HuaZong throughout the state, would have a more consistent or more regular or frequent interactions with all the other races and their associations.
“Like the Chinese, they should have more interactions with the Ibans, the Malays and so on. We can jointly organise more activities and all that to continue to foster that kind of relationship,” said Wee at the Installation Dinner of Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian held at Chung Hua Primary School No 3 today.
Wee added that he would like to see the youth and women of Sarawak HuaZong organising more activities with associations headed by other races.
Another task he may undertake as the new president of Sarawak HuaZong is the construction of a Sarawak HuaZong building in Kuching.
Citing Kuala Lumpur HuaZong headquarters, he said the thought was worth considering as that would provide convenience for Sarawak HuaZong to conduct various meaningful activities of different purposes.
“I will look into it to see the viability. I think it is a good thing because national HuaZong also has its building in Kuala Lumpur. We can see what can be done with the space. We will certainly look into it,” said Wee.
Meanwhile, on whether there was another contender vying for the presidency of Sarawak HuaZong , Wee said as far as he knew, as of now, he was the only one voicing out the intention.
“If I were to be able to get support from leaders and members of various divisions, I don’t mind (to be the president) to assist the Chinese community in a bigger platform.”
He said he had spoken to leadership of various divisions including those in Sibu who have no objection to him leading Sarawak HuaZong.
“Some members of other divisions such as Limbang, Sri Aman, Kapit are here tonight. Those from Sibu can’t make it because they have Borneo Culture Festival tonight but I have met up with them. They will support Kuching,” said Wee.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian was also present at the Installation Dinner. — DayakDaily
