KUCHING: Chinese associations are hopeful that the newly formed government will help to reinstate the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 (MA63) and other issues.
The Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations president Datuk Richard Wee stressed that the overall socio-economic challenges, the entire system of the government, the much-needed revamp of educational policies and standards, together with the immediate attention to address the polarisation of race and religion, are all that require immediate attention.
“Now that the long wait is over, with the spirit of an unity government, it is hoped that we can now move on to address the major issues and challenges that our nation faces.
“We hope that all parties will uphold their promises and election pledges to the rakyat and fulfil them in the shortest possible time.
“We, in Sarawak, would like to see the fulfilment of the restoration of MA-63, our rights and autonomy being given back to us, and not mere lip service,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Wee, who is also the Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Management Board vice chairman, asserted that it is also hoped that the promise by the previous government on the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) will be addressed and fulfilled.
Annual grants to Chinese Independent Schools, Tamil Schools, and other private religious schools, he noted, should be included in the federal budget.
He added that the new government must emulate the Sarawak and Sabah models and propagate a more harmonious society in terms of race, religion, and cultural acceptance by all citizens for a better and more diverse Malaysia.
On the same note, Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) secretary-general Datuk Jonathan Chai expressed hope that the new prime minister would be committed and sincere in resolving all issues pertaining to the devolution of autonomy, especially the autonomy in healthcare and education.
“I personally hope that the new government can fulfil the dreams of Sarawakians by returning the powers and rights of Sarawak as vested in the MA63.
“In addition, the incoming government should come up with a fairer formula for providing a just and equitable allocation of special grants to Sabah and Sarawak pursuant to Article 112(D) of the Federal Constitution so that more money could be spent to upgrade and improve our lagging infrastructure development,” he asserted.
