Kota Kinabalu: Former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee said schools run by the Kota Kinabalu Hakka Association (KKHA) need to produce more science students who are multi-lingual.
“More than economic or military power a nation requires scientific and technological innovation to propel itself forward,” he said, at the 42nd installation of the KKHA exco at the Dewan Hakka Sabah-Port View Palace Hall, here.
He said local universities have difficulties filling the science courses. “Currently, only one quarter of the Form 5 graduates are from the science stream. Therefore.”
KKHA manages two schools, namely Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School (STTSS) and Institut Sinaran
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He also said KKHA and its schools must inculcate in the younger generation the Hakka and Chinese culture as the dialect and many aspects of the culture are slowly being neglected.
He said it is important to sustain traditional culture as these are the very things that maintain a people’s spirit, character and self-identity.
Yong noted that the unicorn dance troupe that performed at the event maintained the traditional and authentic Hakka unicorn dance.
New KKHA Chairman Datuk Jimmy Yong Kyok Ming and 39 committee members were sworn-in before Yong. It was attended by dignitaries and community leaders including Datuk John Lo and Datuk Haji Yusof Kassim (Sabah Economic Advisory Council members), Ouyang Huifeng (Deputy Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China) in Kota Kinabalu, Consul General Huang Shifang, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima TC Goh (JP-President of Malaysia Chinese Association, Datuk Ng Siew Chon (President of United Sabah and Federal Territory Of Labuan Hakka Association) and Datuk Susan Wong (President of The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association Of Kota Kinabalu).
Jimmy said that in its 84 years existence the association had gone through many changes in order to remain relevant.
“It is able to do so because of the firm foundation laid by our Hakka forebears and also younger generations of Hakkas stepping forward to carry the mantle,” he said, adding that education has always been a focus of KKHA’s contribution to the Sabah community.
He said STTSS has never wavered in its tri-lingual curriculum and its values based education while Institut Sinaran continues to deliver sterling results in A-Level exams.
In his speech, Excellency, Ouyang Huifeng said he found the Hakkas here down-to-earth and resilient people.
He said it is this characteristics that has allowed the Hakkas gain a firm foothold in the society.
He believes that it is this trait that will be important for the future development of Malaysian-China relations.
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