Caption:
Datuk Dexter Lau calls on all parties not to politicise racial issues, urging a rational, forward-looking and constructive approach to strengthen social unity and nation building in Sabah.
KOTA KINABALU: The President of the Malaysia–China Chamber of Commerce Sabah, Datuk Dexter Lau, has called on all parties not to politicise racial issues, stressing that what matters most at this juncture is fostering mutual understanding among different communities and working together to build Sabah.
Responding to remarks by GRS Deputy Secretary-General cum Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who explained that “the Chinese community did not oppose the ruling coalition and its allies, but that GRS did not contest in Chinese-majority constituencies,” as well as to concerns successively raised by various state and national leaders over the relatively low number of Chinese representatives in the Sabah state government, he said the public should view the matter with greater maturity, rationality and a forward-looking perspective.
In this regard, he revealed that MCCC Sabah will submit proposals to Sabah’s newly appointed Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk James Ratib, as well as to the Federal Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek.
The aim is to adopt more systematic and institutional approaches to deepen non-Chinese youths’ understanding of Chinese culture, historical background and ways of thinking.
He expressed hope that these efforts would not only help address the potential future shortfall of Chinese elected representatives, but also systematically nurture the next generation with broader, multicultural perspectives—equipping them to care for the Chinese community while serving society as a whole, and to jointly build Sabah.
At the same time, he said he hoped that, under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, education and training for existing non-Chinese state assemblymen and community leaders would be further strengthened, enhancing their capacity to serve the Chinese community.
This would enable policies to be formulated and implemented more effectively for the benefit of the Chinese community and society at large.
“This is not about seeking any special treatment, but about ensuring that those entrusted with governance responsibilities have a more comprehensive understanding of Sabah’s truly multicultural society,” he said.
He added that such efforts reflect Sabah’s long-cherished core value of ‘One Sabah’. Regardless of race or religion, everyone lives and strives on the same land; diversity is not a source of division, but the foundation of unity and complementarity.
“This may well be a sign that it is time for us to learn from one another, understand one another, and share experiences and values as we move forward together,” he said.
He also urged the Chinese community to place trust in non-Chinese elected representatives across constituencies—including those elected with the support of Chinese voters—and to move away from the mindset of “Chinese looking after Chinese, Malays looking after Malays, or indigenous communities looking after only their own.” Instead, he said, the Chinese community should open its arms and give these representatives the opportunity to serve and care for them.
As long as needs and concerns are communicated clearly and rationally, such representatives have both the responsibility and the capacity to serve all constituents.
On another front, Datuk Dexter Lau strongly called on the Chinese community to actively join the civil service, while urging the government to be more proactive in recruiting Chinese Malaysians into the public sector—particularly the civil service—and to provide capable individuals with opportunities for advancement and senior appointments.
This, he said, would ensure that diverse voices are represented in a more balanced, sustainable and institutionalised manner within the administrative system.
“Caring for the people is not the responsibility of elected representatives alone. A professional, efficient and diverse civil service can also play a critical and far-reaching role in day-to-day governance,” he added.
He further noted that as mutual understanding deepens, non-Chinese communities will better appreciate the Chinese way of life, cultural values and strengths, while Chinese-owned and Chinese-backed businesses driven by non-Bumiputera groups will enjoy broader growth opportunities.
“Only through mutual trust, mutual learning and joint efforts can Sabah move forward steadily and go further,” he said.
Datuk Dexter Lau also viewed the current phase as an important opportunity for Sabah to proactively deepen engagement and cooperation with the Consulate-General of China in Kota Kinabalu, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, and relevant Chinese government agencies. Such cooperation, he said, could provide support in cultural understanding, educational exchanges and talent development, thereby strengthening social trust and institutional capacity.
He said this would further enhance friendship and partnership between Sabah and China, while sending a clear signal to the international community that Sabah welcomes Chinese investment as well as quality investments and business cooperation from around the world.
“As this model of trust and cooperation takes root, I believe other countries will follow suit by sending representatives to help Sabah build stronger human capital and resources,” he said.
He emphasised that these initiatives are not political manoeuvres, but an integral part of nation building.
Datuk Dexter Lau stressed that changes in political structures do not equate to the rejection of any race. More importantly, society should focus on how to continue building Sabah, safeguarding the people’s well-being, and ensuring steady progress within the existing framework.
