From third left, Goh, Khoo, Liew, Tay, Yong, Teo, Wong, Gan, Teck Lee, Chin and others cut the cake to celebrate the fifth anniversary of The United Society of Guangdong Province Association Sabah.
KOTA KINABALU: Education and cultural exchange programmes are equally affected by the saga of the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370, armed intrusions and the spate of abduction cases in Sabah, as parents in China are reluctant to allow their children to participate in exchange programmes held in the State.
The United Society of Guangdong Province Association Sabah president, Datuk Jimmy Yong Kyok Ming, said the association could serve as a bridge between Sabah and Guangdong Province, particularly to encourage their Chinese counterparts to visit Sabah.
“The association can help explain to our counterparts in Guangdong that most districts in Sabah are safe to visit, and encourage them to visit the Land Below the Wind as the travel expenses to the State is relatively cheaper.”
He said this at the fifth anniversary celebration of The United Society of Guangdong Province Association Sabah here yesterday, which was graced by the Minister of Special Tasks, Datuk Teo Chee Kang, representing the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman.
Yong said the Cantonese made up over 75 per cent of the Malaysian Chinese population in Sabah, and they collectively possessed a certain degree of influence in many fields, including in the government sector, economy, culture and education.
However, Yong felt that there was still a lack of unity amongst the Cantonese and pointed out the ties between fellow Cantonese should be strengthened.
In conjunction with the fifth anniversary of the association, Yong urged Cantonese associations to join The United Society of Guangdong Province Association Sabah, if they have not yet done so.
With more associations under the umbrella of The United Society of Guangdong Province Association Sabah, Yong believed they could together pursue the rights and interest of the Chinese community in politics, economy, culture, education and religion.
Unfortunately, he said many Chinese tourists have cancelled their plans to visit or participate in exchange programmes held in Sabah following the saga of the missing MH370, armed intrusion by terrorists and the spate of abductions.
“These incidents not only affect the tourism industry, but also affect education and cultural exchange programmes as well because many Chinese parents were reluctant to send their children to Sabah for these exchange programmes.”
Yong added that many Cantonese in Sabah were involved in the tourism industry, and many Chinese tourists were from the Guangdong Province in China, a province with close to 100 million in population.
As such, Yong said the association could serve as a bridge between Sabah and Guangdong Province to encourage their Chinese counterparts to visit to Sabah, thereby spurring the economy and tourism industries in Sabah.
On the other hand, Yong said The United Society of Guangdong Province Association Sabah is the only association among the 40-plus constituent associations in The Federation of Kwang Tung Association Malaysia that has yet to have its own secretariat.
Yong said the association has set up a building fund which has raised over RM200,000 to date. Hence, he hoped that The Federation of Kwang Tung Association Malaysia and fellow Cantonese in Malaysia could render their support and assistance so that the association could have its own secretariat building soon.
Meanwhile, The United Society of Guangdong Province Association Sabah deputy president, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, said the association has grown from six to 10 constituent associations since its inception in 2009 under the able leadership of Yong.
The 10 constituent associations are Kota Kinabalu Hakka Association, Sze Yi Association West Coast Sabah, Kwong Siew Association Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Kota Kinabalu Teochew Association, Sabah Tai Poo Community Association, Persatuan Kebajikan Bao An Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Sandakan Teo Chew Association, Lahad Datu Sze Yi Association, Keningau Sze Yi Association and Ranau Hakka Association.
Wong, who is also the organizing chairperson of the anniversary celebration, said The United Society of Guangdong Province Association Sabah was the 40th constituent association under The Federation of Kwang Tung Association Malaysia.
“I believe the network we have with our fellow Cantonese in Sabah and throughout Malaysia will enable us to work hand in hand and overcome the challenges we face in the future.”
She continued to say that Yong was actively involved in charity work and Chinese education, as he is the chairman of the board of governors for Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School and the president of Kota Kinabalu Hakka Association.
“Under his leadership, I am confident that our association will be able to forge closer ties with Cantonese associations in Sabah and at the same time, strengthen relations with our counterparts in China,” Wong said.
Also present at the event were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah; life honorary advisors of the association, Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee, Tan Sri Andrew Liew Sui Fatt, Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah, Datuk Edward Khoo Keok Hai and Datuk Chin Chee Kee; Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA) chairman Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai; Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah; Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Dato’ Sri Dr T.C. Goh; The Federation of Kwang Tung Associations Malaysia vice president, Tay Ah Tai; The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCA) president, John Lim Yu Sin; Huang Association of Malaysia president Wong Ten An; and Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui Yen Sang, Melanie Chia.