Allow me to once again
acknowledge the presence of Sabah Head of State, Datuk Seri Panglima
Juhar Haji Mahiruddin and wife Datin Seri Panglima Norlidah RM Jasni
at the 28th Malaysia
Chinese Cultural Festival Logo Launching ceremony this evening.
Thank you Tuan
Yang Terutama Datuk
Seri and Datin Seri for taking time from your schedules to witness
this event that will further strengthen cultural ties between Malaysia and China. Your
presence here has made this ocassion all the more meaningful. I
am also honoured to welcome guests from overseas who have joined us
tonight.
This year, Sabah will
play host to the 28th Malaysia
Chinese Cultural Festival and I am equally pleased that today also
marks the unveiling of the festival’s logo. I
am confident that the organizing committee under the able leadership
of Datuk Susan Wong will be successful in showcasing an event that
will create awareness on the contribution of the Chinese community
in Sabah.
This evening marks an
important milestone for the long established relationship between Malaysia and China,
and the friendships we have built. Since the historic visit of then
Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak to China in 1974 which paved the way
for the establishment of Malaysia-China ties, we have seen mutual
understanding and co-operation grow not only between the two
governments, but also among business circles, education and even in
the sphere of family ties.
I am pleased with the
initiative taken by the Youth Section of the Federation of Chinese
Associations that worked with its counterpart from China in
promoting cultural and mutual understanding. Your
dedication over the years has helped further enhance and strengthen
ties between Malaysia and China.
It is my hope that you will continue to boost links between the two
nations in years to come.
Malaysian youths have a
critical role to play in efforts to achieve a fully developed high
income nation status by the year 2020. The Sabah State Government
has always been responsive to the needs of youths, and the
development of programmes that enhance the capabilities and
leadership qualities of your young people. Youths are, after all,
our future leaders. Within our plans and programmes that touch on
national unity, social understanding, good governance and quality of
life, we will continue to incorporate the needs of youths and we are
committed to continuously supporting youth organizations.
The creation of the 1
Malaysia Youth Fund is testimony that the Government recognizes the
role youths play in nation building. We
hope to work with the private sector in creating more jobs, and also
provide more skills training opportunities for school leavers. One
of our aims is to create and provide a platform for the
creation of young entrepreneurs. I encourage youth organization such
as the Sha Hua Qing to organize more training and skills based
programmes for your members.
I would also like to
stress here the importance of upholding unity and the need to accept
differences in a nation as diverse as Malaysia.
I must also share with our foreign guests the 1 Malaysia vision
that was coined by our Right Honourable Prime Minister, Dato Seri
Najib Tun Razak, to truly unite Malaysians of all backgrounds and to
prioritise on the needs of the people. As a state that has over 30
ethnic groups, Sabah is
a role model of 1Malaysia. We not only embrace 1Malaysia, but also
practice it. Our ability to unite in diversity is the secret for Sabah’s
success in developing our state. I am pleased to note that the
Chinese community that continues to play an important role in
economic growth and in generating business and investment in Sabah,
is subscribing to 1Malaysia.
With better planning and
prudent spending under the Barisan Nasional led government, Sabah has
grown over the years. We are now working hard to position ourselves
as one of the leading states in Malaysia.
With balanced government policies plus emphasis on key sectors such
as agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, we hope to achieve a
fully developed state with a high income economy in tandem with the
Economic Transformation Program introduced by the Federal
government. Under the able leadership of our Prime Minister, Sabah is
fully committed in moving ahead with the Federal government in its
government, economy and political transformation plans.
Given our strategic
geographical location in the region, and our natural resources which
we are committed to developing in a sustainable manner, Sabah is
poised to grow further in years to come. On our part, let me assure
you that the Sabah State Government will remain business friendly
and we welcome genuine cooperation in some of our identified key
sectors, including agriculture and tourism.
To our guests from
overseas, and to everyone who is present here, I hope that we will
continue to learn from one another through our respective cultural
heritage. We should draw on strengths that cultures represent, and
use them to overcome challenges that may come in our way. I am sure
our foreign guests have enjoyed their stay here taking home fond
memories, and I sincerely hope we will meet again.
The Government
welcomes the role of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah
under its President Datuk Seri Panglima Sari Nuar, for contributing
to the development and advancement of the Chinese community. The
State Government will continue to engage with you and support your
programmes, where possible.
Before I conclude, on behalf of the
Chief Minister YAB Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman, I wish to announce that
the Sabah Government will donate RM100k to this occasion to ensure
its success.
On that note, I wish you
every success in the upcoming 28th Malaysia
Chinese Cultural Festival.
Thank you.
