"One of the 50 decisions I made in the last two years since becoming Chief Minister firstly, is not to call the Chinese “pendatang” (immigrant). In Sarawak we do not call the Chinese “pendatang” because they have been here for several generations. You are not people from Bangladesh or people from Myanmar. You Chinese have been here for hundreds of years. You are borne, raised and will die here. You have no other place to call home.
I see that Chung Hua schools or Chinese schools are giving good education to children including Bumiputera children. There are many Chinese schools but there are many non-Chinese studying in these schools. There are many rural schools where 60 %, 70% and sometimes 80% of the students are Bumiputera children. This is our way in Sarawak. Why cannot we recognise these schools? Before this independent Chinese schools did not receive even a single cent in government aid. When I became Chief Minister, I said we must help the independent Chinese schools. This is not mere lip-service. In 2014 I gave RM3 million, in 2015 RM4 million and this year RM5 million. Next year if Adenan and BN win the elections, and I am still Chief Minister I will give RM6 million. But if the majority is big, much bigger than normally was, I will give RM10 million.
In the last Dewan Undangan Negeri sitting in December I mentioned that since I came into office, I have given RM 7 million ringgit to Chinese Independent Schools in Sarawak. In 2014 I gave RM3 million and in 2015 RM4 million. This year, as I have promised, the amount I am giving away today to Chinese Independent Schools in Sarawak is RM5 million. Next year if BN win the election and I am still Chief Minister I will give RM6 million. But if the majority in the elections is big, much bigger than the usual, I will RM10 million. But if I am no more Chief Minister you get nothing. Therefore, I need your support so that I can continue to help you. You know this has never been done before and I believe this is the right thing to do to assist Chinese education in the Sarawak and in recognition of the contribution of the Chinese community to Sarawak’s overall development."
The Federal Government do not recognise the United Examination Certificate. That’s not our business but in Sarawak I want UEC to be recognised. In last December’s DUN sitting, I mentioned that since I came into office I have given RM7 million to Chinese independent schools in Sarawak; 2014 RM 3 million and 2015 RM 3 million, this year RM5, next year more than that. I have promised the amount of RM5 million and today and I’m giving the amount to Chinese independent schools. You know this has never been done before. I believe this is the right time to assist Chinese education in Sarawak and in recognition of the contribution made by the Chinese community to Sarawak’s overall development. Today I am fulfilling my promise. It’s not empty talk. If I said RM5 million, I will give away today RM 5 million.
I know education is of utmost importance to the Chinese people. In the pantheon of scholars and so on, the Chinese regard the scholar, the educated person as No. 1. Politician is at No. 10. Once they get to settle in a place the first few things that the Chinese did was to build a temple and a school. Today, Chinese education is not exclusively for the Chinese as Bumiputeras are also sending their children to Chung Hua Schools. Non-Chinese send their children to Chinese schools not only to be able to study and speak mandarin but to acquire knowledge according to the strict regimen of Chinese education.
Now on UEC, the State Government recognise UEC even though the Federal Government do not. Tomorrow to show that we mean business there will be advertisements in the news papers to advertise vacancies in the state Government Service to in invite people who are qualified to apply for jobs in the State Government including those who passed their United Examination Certificate. Holders of UEC from recognised universities can now apply to Sarawak Civil Service without pension at the point of entry with just a PASS in Bahasa Malaysia at SPM level. There’s no need to have a credit but there’s a credit it’s a bonus, a pass is enough. The holders are only required to sit for all required government examinations within 1 to 3 years as a prerequisite to be confirmed in service like any other graduates. The advertisement for all the posts will be published in selected local Chinese, Malay and English newspapers for four consecutive days starting tomorrow.
For this, I would like to tell my good friend Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Pulau Pinang that the State Government of Sarawak is sincere about giving due recognition to those who deserve it and in doing so we are being fair to all citizens. Sarawak’s new recruitment policy accepts not only UEC holders but all graduates who only obtain a pass in Bahasa Malaysia in their SPM.
This new policy will open up more job opportunities not only to UEC holders but to others who were just not fortunate enough during their SPM but who did well in their studies while at university. I make it clear here that it is the Civil Service and not the Government Linked Companies (GLC). Getting UEC holders into the GLCs is nothing new to Sarawak as we don’t have any restriction of entry into State Subsidiary Companies. We have practised all these that Penang is now practising even before Penang did. And on top of that I want to correct Lim Guang said that even before this we have already recognise UEC in GLCs and subsidiary companies. Yayasan Sarawak Loan
The government is also opening up applications for Yayasan Sarawak Loans to UEC holders who had been offered a place in University within the country. For instance, UEC holders who are offered a place in Swinburne University or Curtin University and other private universities in Sarawak can now submit their application to Yayasan Sarawak for consideration, either for grant or loan. Yayasan Sarawak assistance is not only offered to Malays, not only to Iban, not only to Orang Ulu, not only to Bidayuh buat also to Chinese communities.
Another opportunity in the State for UEC holders is to study in UTM Space, Sarawak Branch. UTM Space, Sarawak Branch is a subsidiary of University Teknologi Malaysia that accepts students, including UEC holders, to pursue their studies at Diploma level with just a pass at SPM level. The application can be made directly to UTM Space, Sarawak Branch without the hassle of going through Unit Pusat University or UPU.
These are the three opportunities offered to UEC holders. This has never been done before; it will be done now. I want to make that clear now.
I am told that this school is a five-star school. Because it has achieved that I want to be more generous. For this particular school I give RM500,000. But remember, I am your friend. I am not your enemy. I am a fellow Sarawakian like you all. Don’t treat me like an enemy. And how do you treat a friend. In two years I have made 50 decisions. That is in two years. What more can I not do in five more years. So give me five more years to finish the job that I have set out to do."
Chief Minister of Sarawak
During the handing over of govt grant to independent chinese school in Bintulu on 9 March 2016.
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