Kota Kinabalu: The Chinese community is urged to place their trust in non-Chinese elected representatives and to move away from the mindset of “Chinese looking after Chinese, Malays looking after Malays, or indigenous communities looking after only their own.”
“Instead, they should give these representatives the opportunity to serve them.
“As long as needs and concerns are communicated clearly and rationally, such representatives have both the responsibility and the capacity to serve all constituents,” said Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau.
On another front, Datuk Dexter Lau strongly called on the Chinese community to actively join the civil service, while urging the government to be more proactive in recruiting Chinese Malaysians into the public sector—particularly the civil service—and to provide capable individuals with opportunities for advancement and senior appointments.
This, he said, would ensure that diverse voices are represented in a more balanced, sustainable and institutionalised manner within the administrative system.
“Caring for the people is not the responsibility of elected representatives alone. A professional, efficient and diverse civil service can also play a critical and far-reaching role in day-to-day governance,” he added.
The President was referring to recent reports over the supposed lack of Chinese support for the GRS-led coalition during the recent Sabah election, he called on all parties not to politicise the issue.
He said what matters is fostering mutual understanding among different communities and working together to build Sabah.
GRS Deputy Sec-Gen cum Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, also said it is not true that the Chinese community opposed the ruling coalition.
He said the GRS did not contest in Chinese-majority constituencies.
He said MCCC Sabah would submit proposals to Sabah’s newly appointed Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk James Ratib, as well as Federal Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek.
The aim is to adopt more systematic and institutional approaches to deepen non-Chinese understanding of Chinese culture, historical background and ways of thinking.
At the same time, he hoped education and training for existing non-Chinese assemblymen and community leaders would be further strengthened. This would enable policies to be formulated and implemented more effectively for the benefit of the Chinese community and society at large.
“This is not about seeking any special treatment, but ensuring those entrusted with governance have a more comprehensive understanding of Sabah’s multicultural society,” he said.
Dexter Lau also viewed the current phase as an important opportunity for Sabah to proactively deepen engagement and cooperation with the Consulate-General of China in Kota Kinabalu, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, and relevant Chinese government agencies.
Such cooperation, he said, could provide support in cultural understanding, educational exchanges and talent development, thereby strengthening social trust and institutional capacity.
He said this would further enhance friendship and partnership between Sabah and China, while sending a clear signal to the international community that Sabah welcomes Chinese investment as well as quality investments and business cooperation from around the world.
“As this model of trust and cooperation takes root, I believe other countries will follow suit by sending representatives to help Sabah build stronger human capital and resources,” he said.
He emphasised that these initiatives are not political manoeuvres, but an integral part of nation building.
Datuk Dexter Lau stressed that changes in political structures do not equate to the rejection of any race. More importantly, society should focus on how to continue building Sabah, safeguarding the people’s well-being, and ensuring steady progress within the existing framework.
