Kota Kinabalu: The Barisan Nasional (BN) government must liberalise the country's education system to regain the support of the Chinese community, said Sabah Timber Industries Association (STIA) President Datuk James Hwong."Equal opportunities in education must be given to all communities, especially in higher education, where those qualified should not have any problem entering public universities in the country," he said.
He said the Government must also provide enough Chinese medium primary and secondary schools for those who want to send their children to study in such schools.
"As of now, there is a shortage of such schools and most of the existing schools are cramped," he said.
"Chinese are also Malaysians and majority of the Chinese in the country have for one never think they have anything to do with China and the community's patriotism to Malaysia should never be questioned."
He said education of their children is the main worry of the Chinese community and it would be of benefit to the BN if the Government can revamp the education system and assist the community educate their children up to university level.
"Majority of the Chinese cannot afford to send their children to private universities in the country or overseas as it is too costly for them," said Hwong.
He said the Chinese community has no intention of going against the BN government but are worried over the equal rights to educate their children.
"The Chinese have always respected Malay privileges and I for one will never challenge it.
The Chinese are also happy with the economic opportunities provided by the BN government. The Chinese are also happy with the freedom in Malaysia to practise their culture and religion.
But the Chinese's main concern is the opportunities in education for their children," he said.
He said MCA, being the Chinese's major representative in the BN government, has suffered two setbacks in the last two elections and it is time for the party to improve its delivery and serve the community better.
"MCA has been helping the Chinese since independence and the community will never forget the past contribution of the party. But the time has come for BN to help MCA win back the support and assist the Chinese-based party deliver what the community wanted," he said.
He said the just-concluded general election showed that the community is frustrated with MCA, and not Umno.
"People have short memories and did not remember the good things MCA had fought for them for many decades. But past is past and the time has come for BN to regain the support of the community by liberalising the education sector," he said.
Hwong said as Malaysia is a democratic country which gives its citizens the right to choose the government every five years and once the outcome is known, all should accept the verdict.
"Creating social unrest by having rallies and demonstrations all over the country is not our culture.
These are cultures of third world countries. We must learn from countries like America, Australia and France, among others, where after the elections, the losers concede defeat and shake hands and move on.
"The losers should wait for five years and fight it out again in the next election," he said.
Hwong said STIA members should never participate in unhealthy activities such as illegal rallies or demonstrations.
"I have always told my friends and business associates that Malaysia, including Sabah, is the best place to live in the world. I can live anywhere I wanted but I choose not to, even when I suffer setbacks in my business, as Malaysia is the best. Malaysia gave me the opportunity to rebuild myself and today, I have no regrets staying put in Sabah," he said.
