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Jimmy presents a memento to Musa
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18th July, 2012
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the state government recognises the role of the Chinese community in the economic development of the country, Sabah in particular.
“We value their role in helping to further develop Sabah which is already enjoying stability and progress,” he said when meeting leaders from the Federation of Hakka Associations, Sabah and Labuan and the Federation of Hokkien Associations, Sabah and Labuan at the State Legislative Assembly building here yesterday.
Musa who is also Finance Minister added that many investors were coming to Sabah because they knew the state has a stable government.
He added that the government also looked into the welfare and needs of the Chinese community including their education and places of worship.
“Before I became Chief Minister I was a businessman and my Chinese friends who are successful businessmen gave priority to their children’s education and places of worship.
“And when I became Chief Minister I provided huge allocation for Chinese schools and temples which are important to this community,” he added.
Hence, Musa hoped the Chinese community would continue to work closely with the government to ensure Sabah remain a peaceful and progressive state.
And, the Chief Minister also said cooperation between the NGOs and government was important for the successful development of Sabah and the prevailing peace and harmony in the state.
He said NGOs such as Chinese associations were vital stakeholders and they have a role to play in nation building as well as in the development of Sabah through their contribution of ideas, feedbacks and voluntary efforts toward charitable causes.
“I have always said that I alone cannot develop Sabah. I need the help of my colleagues in the BN, the civil service and NGOs including the Chinese associations,” he said.
Musa also said a government must administer well, practised prudent spending, be efficient and transparent if it were to create a climate that would attract investors.
“If the government does not manage well, there will be instability and nobody would want to come to Sabah to do business,” he said.
As such, Musa called on all Chinese associations to close ranks and cooperate with the government to bring greater development and prosperity to Sabah.
The president of the Federation of Hokkien Associations of Sabah and Labuan, Datuk T. C. Goh led 22 association presidents while the president of the Federation of Hokkien Associations, Sabah and Labuan, Datuk Jimmy Tham came with 13 association presidents from throughout Sabah to meet the Chief Minister yesterday.
Goh said the state government under the leadership of Musa has performed well, bringing unprecedented development to the state and its economy.
“We, in the Federation therefore give the Chief Minister 101 per cent support to continue to lead the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jimmy said the Hakka community was thankful to the state government for giving funds to Chinese schools and temples over the years.
“The state government under Datuk Seri Musa has been taking care of the Chinese community’s needs. He has been attentive and generous. We support his leadership,” he said.
Since Musa took office, some RM30 million had been disbursed yearly to over 500 organisations comprising Independent Chinese and mission schools, as well as Chinese and Sikh temples and churches.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Edward Khoo.
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