FOCUS: By now, many can readily agree that Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem has managed to garner a lot of support among Sarawakians.
But what many may not know is that he seems to have also won the support of a large cross section of the Chinese community in Malaya as well – that is if these words of a prominent Chinese community leader from Kuala Lumpur is any indication.
“I have not met Adenan personally but from what I’ve read in the newspapers, the chief minister has been doing all the right things,” said Ter Leong Yap, president of the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (ACCCIM).
“I can’t help but to say openly that I envy Sarawakians that they have such an open-minded leader like Adenan as their chief minister,” Ter told his audience at the 50th anniversary of the Sarawak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry dinner in Kuching early this month.
A few months ago, Adenan made heads turn among the Chinese community when he announced that the state would recognise the United Examination Certificate (UEC), a public exam sat by Chinese independent school students.
He is even willing to persuade the federal government to do so, and he had walked his talk.
In less than two years under Adenan as chief minister, Sarawak has become the first state in the country to recognise UEC besides allocating funds for Chinese independent schools.
Adenan may not be able to convince the federal government to follow suit but he is taking the lead and now Selangor is also following the move where state-run universities are opening doors to Chinese independent school graduates with UEC.
For years, Chinese education activists in the country have been trying to get similar recognition from the government but their efforts have been in vain.
Adenan’s reason for recognising UEC is simple: Stop the brain drain.
He even called the federal government “stupid” for not accepting UEC while he is prepared to recruit UEC holders as civil servants in Sarawak.
For this, Adenan has surely won the hearts of Chinese education activists for finally giving UEC its long overdue recognition.
Education has always been the prime motivator among the Chinese and Chinese education activists are seen as leaders in the community.
Ter also mentioned at the function that he was grateful to Adenan for having repeatedly stressed that no one is allowed to call the Chinese “pendatang” in the country.
The chief minister’s bold statement of “no hudud law in Sarawak” also put the Chinese and other non-Muslims at ease. His stand of religious moderation resonates well with all.
Another prominent Chinese community leader, Pheng Ying Huah, has also praised Adenan for his fair and far-sighted views and policies.
Pheng, president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong), recently described Adenan as the most popular politician among the Chinese community now.
Pheng led a Hua Zong delegation to pay Adenan a courtesy call in Kuching in May last year.
With Ter and Pheng praising Adenan and Chinese education activists feeling grateful towards the chief minister, Adenan is certainly well respected by the Chinese community throughout the country.
With racial politics and religious bigotry getting more entrenched in the country, Adenan’s moderate policies bring new hope.
Hopefully, we will see more state executives in Malayan states going the Adenan way.
-The Ant Daily
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