Kota Kinabalu: President of the Malaysia–China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah, Datuk Dexter Lau, has called on all parties not to politicise racial issues, stressing that the priority should be fostering mutual understanding among communities and working together to build Sabah.
Responding to remarks by GRS Deputy Secretary-General and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali — who said that the Chinese community did not oppose the ruling coalition and its allies, but that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) did not contest in Chinese-majority constituencies — as well as concerns raised by state and national leaders over the relatively low number of Chinese representatives in the Sabah government, Lau urged the public to view the issue with greater maturity, rationality and a forward-looking perspective.
He said MCCC Sabah will submit proposals to Sabah’s newly appointed Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk James Ratib, and Federal Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, aimed at adopting more systematic and institutional approaches to deepen non-Chinese youths’ understanding of Chinese culture, history and values.
According to Lau, such efforts would not only help address potential future shortfalls in Chinese elected representatives, but also nurture a new generation with broader multicultural perspectives who can serve society as a whole while understanding the needs of the Chinese community.
He also expressed hope that under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, education and training for non-Chinese state assemblymen and community leaders would be further strengthened to enhance their capacity to serve the Chinese community more effectively.
“This is not about seeking special treatment, but about ensuring that leaders entrusted with governance responsibilities have a comprehensive understanding of Sabah’s truly multicultural society,” he said.
Lau said these efforts reflect Sabah’s long-held “One Sabah” core value, where diversity should be viewed not as a source of division, but as a foundation for unity and mutual complementarity.
He also urged the Chinese community to place trust in non-Chinese elected representatives, including those elected with the support of Chinese voters, and to move away from race-based expectations in governance.
“As long as needs and concerns are communicated clearly and rationally, elected representatives have both the responsibility and capacity to serve all constituents,” he said.
On another front, Lau called on the Chinese community to actively join the civil service, while urging the government to be more proactive in recruiting Chinese Malaysians into the public sector, particularly the civil service, and to provide capable individuals with opportunities for advancement and senior appointments.
He said a professional, efficient and diverse civil service plays a critical role in daily governance and ensures more balanced and sustainable representation within the administrative system.
Lau also said deeper mutual understanding would allow non-Chinese communities to better appreciate Chinese culture and values, while enabling Chinese-linked businesses to enjoy broader growth opportunities through cooperation with other groups.
He further viewed the current period as an opportunity for Sabah to deepen engagement with the Consulate-General of China in Kota Kinabalu, the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia and relevant Chinese agencies, particularly in cultural exchange, education and talent development.
Such cooperation, he said, would strengthen institutional capacity and send a clear signal that Sabah welcomes Chinese investment as well as quality investments from around the world.
“These initiatives are not political manoeuvres, but part of nation building,” he said, adding that changes in political structures do not equate to the rejection of any race.
