KOTA KINABALU – Sabah PKR chief Datuk Christina Liew said any unwarranted call for the abolition of vernacular schools should be put to rest as it blatantly contradicts the concept of Keluarga Malaysia.
She said these educational institutions have contributed enormously to nation-building, and that the federal government should strive to internalise the concept of Keluarga Malaysia so that it does not remain mere rhetoric.
“To realise the vision of Keluarga Malaysia (which is to revive the country and achieve the status of a developed and high-income nation), all Malaysians must embrace the values of mutual respect and understanding, and tolerance for differences as well as exercise restraint in our statements or actions to avoid hurting the feelings of compatriots.
“I believe that Malaysia can be a truly united nation with a tolerant society if everyone unequivocally accepts diversity as a pillar of strength, and not a cause for divisiveness,” she said in her New Year message today.
She added that Sabah is indisputably an exemplary state for the concept of Keluarga Malaysia.
Liew who is also Tawau MP and Api Api assemblywoman also said the government must uphold its pledge of the oft-repeated phrase “no one is left behind” so that the principle of Keluarga Malaysia is seen to produce the desired results.
On the recent significant amendment to the federal constitution to restore the equal status of Sabah and Sarawak with the Peninsula in tandem with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Liew who is Sabah’s former deputy chief minister reiterated that this reinstatement must be translated into reality.
For the philosophy of Keluarga Malaysia to be a culture, she said, any execution of the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025) should start addressing the economic and development disparities between East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia for equity of growth and development.
“What matters most is a tangible result.
“It is a legitimate desire of the people to enjoy equal treatment, and this is achievable through a just and equitable sharing of resources and economic wealth by the central government and providing bigger financial allocations to equally benefit both the East Malaysian states,” she said.
Saying Sabah looks forward to being granted a higher level of autonomy through decentralisation of power, Liew recalled that during her tenure as Sabah’s tourism, culture and environment minister, she had repeatedly urged the federal government to empower Sabah to issue the various tourism-related licenses for the operation of the tourism industry.
Meanwhile, she hopes the state government will continue to provide food basket aid to those in need, as assured by the community development and people’s well-being minister, as some might have been inadvertently left out.
“'Little Napoleons out there should not attempt to thwart the government’s efforts. Fundamentally, the people’s welfare comes first, and it transcends all political ideologies.
“Let there be no preoccupation with politics at a time when disadvantaged people are struggling for survival and need material support,” she said.
Liew also expressed her appreciation to the medical and enforcement frontliners for their selflessness in combating the coronavirus, saving lives, and maintaining peace and security since March last year. – The Vibes, December 31, 2021
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