PENAMPANG: All ethnic groups in Malaysia share a collective responsibility in advancing the nation and ensuring tolerance and unity among communities.
Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick, highlighted that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which serves as the foundation for the establishment of Malaysia, was signed by leaders from various ethnic backgrounds in 1963.
“Chinese community leaders also signed the Malaysia Agreement (MA63). Therefore, the role and responsibility of the Chinese community are crucial in the nation’s development, particularly in the economic and entrepreneurial sectors.
“As a country with a diverse population, we must complement and collaborate with one another to ensure tolerance, unity, and harmony, allowing us to focus on the true development of the nation,” he said.
Ewon made these remarks when launching the Chinese New Year Festival organised by the Chinese Captains’ Association of Penampang on Sunday.
Ewon, who is also the Member of Parliament for Penampang, welcomed this inaugural initiative by the Chinese Captains of Penampang and contributed RM50,000 to support the event.
He also outlined various initiatives implemented in Penampang since his election as a Member of Parliament in November 2022.
“Upon my election as the Member of Parliament for Penampang, I initiated the Penampang Development Master Plan in collaboration with the Sabah Institute for Development Studies (IDS), which was launched in December 2023. This plan will serve as our input from Penampang for the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (RMK13) 2026-2030.
“In addition to preparing for RMK13, we must also ensure the execution of several projects that have yet to commence, delayed projects, and those facing challenges in Sabah, including flood mitigation projects that have received multiple extensions,” he added.
