Call to drop phrase on Sabah, S'wak
Published on: Friday, August 23, 2013
Kota Kinabalu: Eliminate the phrase 'Termasuk Sabah dan Sarawak' (including Sabah and Sarawak) in official speech deliveries, said Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC) Board of Directors member, Datuk Awang Buhtamam Awang Mahmun.He said this is to illustrate and enhance the spirit of 1Malaysia as espoused by the Prime Minister."It somehow indicates that we are not from the same country and, therefore, is not pleasing to one's ears."
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To get his point across, Buhtamam said the other parties might feel awkward, weird or even displeased if it were said the other way around even if it were expressed without any intention of causing offence or separation."If I announced that we would be holding courses that would involve all Malaysian states including the peninsula, that announcement perhaps would lose its appeal to listeners from the peninsula."In relation to this, he said the feelings of togetherness should be emphasised and nurtured."This also includes leaving behind the mentality or need to mention one's race."
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This, according to him, may cause dissatisfaction to those whose races were not mentioned.Therefore, it is best to stick to one word which is Malaysian, he said.
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He said it is important to maintain the unity and peace that "we have for further development in our country. Once you hit rock bottom, it will take a long time to recuperate (e.g. Egypt)."Buhtamam, who was speaking at MPC's Majlis Mesra Aidilfitri at Le Meriden, here, Thursday, also said that they have proposed their own MPC complex to be built in Sabah which does not only involve the setting up of an office but also to serve as a training centre for productivity."As soon as we have identified a suitable land in the Kota Kinabalu area, we will inform the Government."Earlier suggestions include building the MPC Centre at KKIP, Kinarut or Papar.Meanwhile, during a press conference, Buhtamam was asked to comment on how to get more locals to participate in the oil and gas industry.He urged Petronas to give more opportunities to local/bumiputera entrepreneurs so that they can be involved in the industry."Among reasons for low participation include less skills/ expertise and bumiputeras non-ready mode to put their best foot forward in this field."Local participation is still few. Please be serious in ensuring bumiputera entrepreneurs are involved in the oil and gas development here, said Buhtamam to Petronas representatives.Another advice to Petronas was to ensure meaningful participation."Being involved in oil and gas as food suppliers is not the kind of participation we want. We prefer locals to be involved in the maintenance services and other skills as well."He also said it is vital for industrial training in the oil and gas industry to be made available in Sabah as more skills need to be acquired by locals such as on welding and scaffolding.An example given was a technology institute in Membakut to cater to this demand.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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