KOTA KINABALU - The Chinese community has been urged to choose wisely at the ballot box and to return Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as Prime Minister and Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman as Chief Minister.
Making the call during the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) Chinese New Year banquet on Sunday night, chamber president Datuk Sari Nuar said this was imperative to enable both leaders to bring Malaysia and Sabah to greater heights after the next general election.
Musa was the guest of honour at the function. Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, Merotai Assemblyman Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, Batu Sapi Member of Parliament Datin Linda Tsen as well as KKCCCI leaders.
Sari also called on the Chinese community to treasure the existing stability and prosperity and to support the efforts of the state Government under Musa's leadership in bringing further prosperity to the state.
He added that for the first time ever, Sabah has four ministers in the Federal Cabinet - Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal and, Science, Technology and Innovative Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili - and two deputy ministers, namely Tan Sri Joseph Kurup and Datuk Liew Vui Kiong.
Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia and deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee are also from Sabah.
Sari said although the economic outlook in Europe appeared gloomy, Japan hit by natural disasters and Thailand ravaged by flood, the Sabah people should be thankful for the stability and prosperity under the capable and dynamic leadership of Musa.
He also praised the Prime Minister for receiving the accolade as ‘Father of Moderation and Transformation' at the World Chinese Economic Forum last year.
The Chinese community has benefited from his fair and capable leadership.
Meanwhile, Sari said while the Year of the Dragon was regarded as the most auspicious year, the people must continue to do their part to make it happen.
He recalled that the Prime Minister had once quoted a Chinese proverb - "It takes 10 years to cultivate a tree, but it takes 100 years to cultivate humanity" - which reflected his conviction to bring progress and stability for all Malaysians in line with the 1Malaysia concept.
Sari added that the Chinese community in Sabah had also enjoyed the benefits of the concept through the distribution of the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) RM500 cash assistance given by the government to all Malaysians earning less than RM3,000 a month.
--Courtesy of New Sabah Times
