'Sabah's Chinese benefited most from Malaysia's formation'

The Chinese community in Sabah has benefited the most from the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963, according to Sari Nuar, president of the Federation of Chinese Associations in Sabah.

He said that prior to Sabah's independence through Malaysia, the majority of the Chinese in the state held only permanent residence status or work pass.

"After independence in 1963, we automatically became citizens of Malaysia. We have voting rights, the right to buy land and to do business. We are very lucky to have been afforded the status of Malaysian citizenship.

"I must acknowledge that we have benefited a lot from the formation of Malaysia," he told Bernama in Kota Kinabalu today.

Sari Nuar said that in early 1963, there were only about 200,000 Chinese throughout the state, with the majority of them residing in the main towns of the then North Borneo colony.

"Most of the Chinese at that time worked either in the rubber plantations or were operators of retail shops", he said.

Recalling the struggle of the people of Sabah to gain independence from the British, Sari Nuar, who was then a 25-year old rubber tapper, said the Chinese, Kadazandusun, Malays and other races fought side-by-side for independence.

One big family

"We are one big family. The Chinese, Kadazandusun and Malays live harmoniously together. We work together, mingle and we celebrate together - Chinese New Year, Christmas or Aidilfitri.

"We all love a peaceful life. From even before independence and until now, the Sabah people never experienced racial tension ... tolerance happens in Sabah because we respect each other and we never question our roots, and why must we quarrel. This is the pride of Sabah that needs to be maintained and preserved at all costs," he said.

Sari Nuar admitted that there were a few occasions of political tension in Sabah but "the ordinary people" continued to be united and were not easily swayed by those people who were out to create disunity.

He said that with a stable government and a conducive political climate, Sabah had progressed by leaps and bounds.

"For example, in Kota Kinabalu city, which was then known as Jesselton, you can see the difference in terms of development.

"Kota Kinabalu used to be a fishing village with few units of wooden shoplots. But now, Kota Kinabalu has turned into one of the most developed cities in the country," he said.

On the Malaysia Day celebration on Thursday, Sari Nuar said Sabahans should be grateful to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for the biggest celebration in Kota Kinabalu after Merdeka Day on Aug 31 this year.

He thanked Chief Minister Musa Aman ( right ) for bringing up the proposal to the federal government to hold the Malaysia Day celebration in Kota Kinabalu.

He said the event was of special significance because of the recognition accorded by the federal government to the importance of Sabah and Sarawak in the formation of Malaysia.

Sari Nuar called on the Chinese community in the state to turn up in full force to celebrate Malaysia Day.

- Bernama