Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin has refuted claims that Chinese schools and the Chinese community were sidelined in the 2026 national budget.
Although the 38 new schools announced under Budget 2026 do not include Chinese primary schools, Chan said the government made a historic breakthrough by fully funding the relocation and rebuilding of SJK(C) Aik Hua in Pasir Hitam, Taiping, Perak.
Speaking at the 77th anniversary and Mid-Autumn Festival celebration of the Sze Yi Association West Coast Sabah on Sunday, Chan, who is also Kota Kinabalu MP, explained that while Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivered a two-hour speech on Budget 2026, the full budget details are spread across four volumes of 800 to 1,000 pages.
Hence, the figures not mentioned in the Prime Minister’s speech do not mean they are excluded from the budget, he said.
Chan said the Madani Government had allocated RM90 million for Chinese New Villages and Indian villages, RM50 million for non-Muslim affairs, and RM150 million micro loan for Chinese New Villages in Budget 2026.
Meanwhile, he said the expansion of credit guarantees via the Business Financing Guarantee Scheme (SJPP) to RM30 billion would also benefit all Malaysians.
On the absence of Chinese schools among the 38 new schools to be built under Budget 2026, he said Bumiputera pupils make up about half of the students in Chinese schools in Sabah.
In rural areas, some Chinese primary schools have become micro-sized schools due to the significant decline in student enrolment, he said.
“Our urgent task should be to focus on how to relocate micro-sized Chinese primary schools from rural areas to urban areas. Relocating Chinese primary schools is a more important agenda.”While he empathizes with the Chinese community’s insistence of keeping every single Chinese school open, the severe decline in student numbers is a problem that Chinese primary schools must face and resolve.
Meanwhile, The Federation of Koo Kong Chau Luk Yup Association Malaysia President Foong Yee Han commended the Sabah and Sarawak state governments for their progressive and open-mindedness in recognizing the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
He said the move did not only reflected the state governments’ respect towards vernacular education, but also opened up access to local higher learning institutions for Chinese students who scored excellent results.
He said that for a country to progress, it must embrace talents from all walks of life and promote inclusivity and diversity.
“The state governments of East Malaysian have demonstrated the spirit of true multiculturalism and inclusiveness through concrete actions, serving as a model for other state governments across the nation.”Foong said the Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah has deeply rooted itself in the local Chinese community through the tireless efforts of its past and present leaders for the past 77 years.
He added that the association thrived under the leadership of its president, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen.
“Datuk Susan was also conferred the Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur Award, making her a source of pride for the Chinese community and one of Malaysia’s best role models.”He said Susan was also elected as the founding president of The Federation of East Malaysia Guangdong Associations, and at the same time, spearheading the Benoni New Township in Papar.
“As a well-rounded woman, Datuk Susan has achieved remarkable success in family and parenting, given her outstanding and exceptional children. She is truly a super mom!”Foong also praised Susan’s spouse, Datuk Wong Ten An, as her source of strength and pillar of support.
On the other hand, Susan paid tribute to the dedication of past committees and leaders for the last 77 years that enabled the association to stand on a solid foundation.
“Today, we are fortunate to have our own association building and rental income, which enables us to support various celebrations, distribute ang pows to our elderly members, and provide academic incentives for our members’ children — all of this is made possible by the foresight and selfless contributions of our predecessors.”She said the Sze Yi Association West Coast, Sabah is significant to her as it provides a platform for her to helm the United Sabah Sze Yip Association, United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu, the Federation of Guangdong Associations Sabah and the Federation of Jiangmen Associations Malaysia, as well as serves as the deputy president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS).
She vowed to work hand in hand with members to promote the association’s affairs, organize more activities that benefit the members.
Susan also said the Federation of Jiangmen Associations Malaysia, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has 33 member associations, including six in Sabah, six in Sarawak and 21 in West Malaysia.
In effort to encourage the usage of Cantonese, especially among the younger generation, she said the association had organised Melissa Wong Cup Cantopop Singing Competition three years ago. The next competition will be held next year and she urged members to participate in the event.
Also present at the event was FCAS president Tan Sri Dr T.C. Goh, JP.