A GROUPING of Chinese associations, Hua Zong, is urging parties from both sides of the divide to unite and speak up as one on issues involving the community.

The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia president Goh Tian Chuan said politics is unavoidable when it comes to some issues involving the community.

The leader of Hua Zong, one of the most influential national Chinese organisations in the country, said though Muhyiddin Yassin said he is the prime minister for all Malaysians, the nature of the Perikatan Nasional government is such that the Malay-Muslim majority will colour its stand on issues.

PN consists of Barisan Nasional, Umno, PAS and Bersatu and Gabugan Parti Sarawak.

Goh said this is the reality of the community’s situation.

“So, it does not matter if Chinese parties are in the government or the opposition, they should unite and help address the community’s issues,” he said in a recent interview with The Malaysian Insight.

Hua Zong is apolitical but solving issues afflicting the Chinese community will require government and political help, he said.

As such, the organisation frequently engages with national leaders and ministers to offer its input and insights.

It met Muhyiddin last July 17 for a dialogue and to hand its Budget 2021 wish list to the prime minister.

Goh said issues affecting the community include those concerning politics, economy and education.

“Many Chinese are heavily involved in the private sector, so they are concerned with the economy and, of course, there are those who prioritise education, that means issues like private Chinese schools and the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).” 

Hua Zong is among those fighting to get the UEC exam recognised by Putrajaya

Goh said there needs to be more understanding about the Chinese by the non-Chinese in order for their issues to be solved.

To this end, Hua Zong is trying to organise more inter-racial activities to engage the non-Chinese.

“For example, during the Lunar New Year and spring celebrations earlier this year, we invited some Muslim civic groups and some non-Chinese ministers to join us.”

Goh said after helming Hua Zong for a year, he had issued statements concerning national issues to the media in English and conveyed its recommendations and insights to the prime minister and ministers in Bahasa Malaysia in an effort to help others better understand the community and its position on issues.

“Hua Zong’s Chinese Malaysian Museum had also invited several Muslim government officials and civil groups to visit, and they had left with a deep impression of the Chinese and their work in improving the community’s lot.”

Goh, who is also the Sabah Chinese Assembly Hall president, said the country’s races live in harmony with each other in Borneo unlike in the peninsula, and there had been no disputes of a racial and religious nature.

“In East Malaysia, we had people of all races participating in dragon boat races, including the state leadership, high-ranking government officials, right down to the people. Everyone is having a good time.

“As such, I believe that with better understanding among one another, there will no longer be racial or religious issues.” – August 13, 2020.