KUALA LUMPUR: Amidst the ongoing challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic, and a volatile political and economic situation in the country, Chinese organizations, Chinese education bodies and Chinese media, which are the three main pillars of the Chinese community, must continue to forge greater unity and closer cooperation with each other, said Tan Sri T.C Goh, President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong).
He was convinced that as long as the Chinese community continues to remain united and march in the same direction, they would be able to face all the challenges, and continue to thrive alongside the other communities on the path of nation building.
Goh who is also President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) stressed this while speaking at the Media Nite hosted by Huazong, at Wisma Huazong.
Also present at the occasion were, Huazong Life Honorary Presidents, Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah and Tan Sri Lim Gait Tong, Life Honorary Advisors, Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng, Tan Sri Tee Tiam Lee, Tan Sri Barry Goh Ming Choon, Tan Sri Khoo Chai Kaa, its Vice President Datuk Ong Seng Khek, Deputy President Wong Keng Tong, Secretary-general Datuk Dr Wong Aik Loung, his deputy Yong Yew Wei, Central Committee members Dato’ Ng Chin Heng, Dato’ Lee Tech Hua, Yvonne Chong Yan Moy, Vice President of Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall, Oh Kian Kiong , Dato’ Lim Chin Lee, Secretary-general of The Federation of Hokkien Associations Malaysia, and redONE Chief Sales Officer cum founder of ONEcharity, Ben Teh Beng Hock, among others.
Meanwhile, senior management officials from the Chinese media organisations included Koo Cheng, Executive Director of Sin Chew Media Corporation Berhad / CEO of Sin Chew Daily, Sin Chew Daily’s Editor-in chief, Kuik Cheng Kang, Low Hoong Fee, CEO of Nanyang Siang Pau, its Editor-in-chief, Chan Aun Kuang, Ding Lee Leong, Editor-in-chief cum Senior Manager of Oriental Daily News, Lim Meng Piew, Executive Editor-in-chief of China Press, Mao Pengfei, Bureau Chief of Xinhua News Agency, Malaysia, deputy Editor-in-chief of Kwong Wah Yit Poh, Ng Yee Min and deputy Editor-in-chief of Guang Ming Daily, Yap Nget Mee, among others.
Goh acknowledged that after the 14th general elections on 9 May, 2018, and the Covid-19 induced movement control order (MCO) implemented on 18 March, 2020, Malaysia is currently still struggling with the three major challenges posed by the persisting pandemic, and political and economic uncertainties.
He thus opined that the “three main pillars” of the Chinese community – the Chinese organizations, Chinese education and Chinese media, will continue to play a significant role amidst this challenging time.
He said, these three main pillars had taken shape and forged a strong bond and cooperation with each other, even before the nation achieved its independence, and they continue to remain a key component of the Chinese community till this day.
He thus called on the Chinese community to continue to cherish and safeguard these three main pillars, which are also the pride of the Chinese community and an unique feature of our nation.
While noting that the country has since 1 April transitioned into endemic phase of Covid-19 pandemic, he urged the Chinese community to continue to remain vigilant and to comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government and the relevant authorities, in order to co-exist with the Covid-19 safely.
He went on to note that with the country fully opening its economic sector and allowing social activities to be conducted, Huazong too has started to plan and to resume its cultural activities and programmes. This includes the hosting of the 37th Malaysian Chinese Cultural Festival which was postponed in the last two years due to the pandemic; the festival was kick-started with the flag-raising ceremony held in Penang, last month, to be followed by the torch lighting ceremony in Bukit Cina, Melaka, next month, in the run-up to the festival which will be held in Seremban, in September this year.
Goh also disclosed that Huazong has initiated its Education Fund programme last month, in which it introduced its “mobile phone package” to raise funds for the needy and underprivileged students.
He was also glad to note that the FCAS, which is also led by him, will resume the hosting of its international dragon boat race, in the middle of July this year.
