KOTA KINABALU: The state government is willing to render financial assistance for major events of state or national level organized by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), provided the applications are reasonable.
Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang said the state government was willing to extend its assistance if the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS), Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) or other NGOs organized major events.
Teo said this when attending an appreciation dinner on Monday for the working committee of the lantern contest and floats parade organized in conjunction with Sabah’s 50th Year of Independence within Malaysia celebration.
Teo was the organizing chairman of the working committee for the event, which was held on August 30.
FCAS was tasked with organizing the floats parade while KKCCCI was responsible for the lantern contest.
Teo said the state government had been supportive in terms of logistics and funding in activities organized by Chinese NGOs, which made Sabah different from other states.
“The state government is always willing to assist if Chinese NGOs or NGOs of other races organize state-level activities,” he said in response to FCAS president Dato’ Sri Dr T.C. Goh’s request for the state government’s annual allocation to the federation.
Teo said Sabah had achieved a lot of progress, particularly in poverty eradication, economic and infrastructure developments, since 50 years ago.
“These are the results of cooperation between the government and the private sector, the government and the people.”
He added that the floats parade and lantern contest were cultural events organized with the cooperation between the government and NGOs, especially Chinese NGOs.
Teo said the government, private sector and NGOs’ collaboration could expand beyond the cultural sector, as lots of opportunities that the government and NGOs could work together, such as the education sector.
“We will have many opportunities to cooperate in organizing activities that are beneficial to the people in the future.”
He also thanked City Hall, Royal Malaysian Police, Sabah Cultural Board and the participants who were involved, for their cooperation in the event.
Earlier, Goh said he hoped the state government would include FCAS in its annual allocation as the federation had no source of income.
“I hope the state government would provide allocation to the federation as funding for events.”
Goh said the inaugural event proved that Chinese NGOs and Chinese clans could work with the government in organizing events.
He further said FCAS had many sub-committees, including economic, education, cultural, welfare, religion, youth and women.
“Only a small part of FCAS was involved in the floats parade. Hence, we hope that Datuk Teo could offer us other tasks to allow FCAS to be more involved in government programmes.”
On the other hand, KKCCCI president Datuk Michael Lui Yen Sang said the collaboration between the government and the people in organizing events could foster better relationship and communication between both parties.
He said KKCCCI would continue to partner with the government in organizing activities, especially Chinese-culture related programmes.
“With the good relationship with the government and proper channels to air our opinions, we believe we can positively reflect the needs and demands of the Chinese community.”
Lui added that the Chinese community, particularly the Chinese in Sabah, have been enjoying national stability, economic prosperity, racial harmony, fair progress and peace since our country achieved independence.
He urged the people to treasure and appreciate the stability and progress the nation has achieved.
KKCCCI will be jointly organizing a Chinese New Year carnival with City Hall in January.
Also present at the appreciation dinner was City Hall director general Datuk Yeo Boon Hai.