MCCC Sabah urges maturity in racial discourse, calls for unity and inclusive nation-building

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 21): Malaysia–China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah president Datuk Dexter Lau has urged all parties to refrain from politicising racial issues, stressing that the priority now is to foster mutual understanding among Sabah’s diverse communities and to work together in building the state.

Commenting on remarks by GRS deputy secretary-general and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali who clarified that the Chinese community did not oppose the ruling coalition and its allies, but that GRS did not contest in Chinese-majority constituencies, Dexter said the issue should be viewed with greater maturity, rationality and a forward-looking mindset.

He said public discourse should move beyond narrow racial narratives, especially amid concerns raised by state and national leaders over the relatively low number of Chinese representatives in the Sabah state government.

In this regard, Dexter revealed that MCCC Sabah will be submitting proposals to Sabah’s newly appointed Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk James Ratib, as well as to Federal Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

The proposals aim to adopt more systematic and institutional approaches to deepen non-Chinese youths’ understanding of Chinese culture, history and ways of thinking, he explained.

“These initiatives are meant to equip future leaders with the ability to care for the Chinese community while serving society as a whole, so that we can build Sabah together,” he said.

At the same time, Dexter said he hoped that under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, education and training for existing non-Chinese 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 those entrusted with governance responsibilities have a comprehensive understanding of Sabah’s truly multicultural society,” he said.

He added that such an approach reflects Sabah’s long-cherished value of “One Sabah”, where diversity is not a source of division but the foundation of unity and mutual complementarity.

“Regardless of race or religion, we live and strive on the same land. This may well be the time for us to learn from one another, understand one another, and move forward together,” he said.

Dexter also called on 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 the mindset of each race looking after only its own.

“As long as needs and concerns are communicated clearly and rationally, these representatives have both the responsibility and the capacity to serve all constituents,” he said.

On another front, Dexter strongly encouraged members of 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.

“A professional, efficient and diverse civil service plays a critical and far-reaching role in day-to-day governance, beyond the responsibilities of elected representatives alone,” he said.

He noted that as mutual understanding deepens, non-Chinese communities would better appreciate Chinese cultural values and strengths, while Chinese-owned and Chinese-backed businesses would enjoy broader growth opportunities.

Dexter also said the current phase presents an important opportunity for Sabah to deepen engagement with the Consulate-General of China in Kota Kinabalu, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, and relevant Chinese government agencies.

Such cooperation, he said, could strengthen cultural understanding, educational exchanges and talent development.

“These initiatives are not political manoeuvres, but an integral part of nation building,” he stressed, adding that changes in political structures do not equate to the rejection of any race.

“What matters most is how we continue to build Sabah, safeguard the people’s well-being, and ensure steady progress within the existing framework,” he said.

community Dexter Lau Malaysia–China Chamber of Commerce racial issues