Lee Kim Shin: Commemorating the Contributions of Seniors, Respect for the Elderly Must Be Passed Down Through Generations

(Miri, 17th) Sarawak Minister of Transport, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, pointed out that without the contributions and foundations laid by predecessors, an association or society would not have achieved its current success. Therefore, respecting the elderly is not just an activity, but an important value in Chinese culture that must be passed down through generations.

He made such remarks while speaking at the "52nd Annual Filial Piety and Respect for the Elderly Banquet 2025" hosted by the Miri Kwang Hoi Chiu Association on the fifth floor of Imperial Palace Hotel last night.

He said, the establishment of the Miri Kwang Hoi Chiu Association is closely tied to the history of the Miri oil and gas industry. "In 1953, when Shell hired a large number of outstation staff into Miri — including those from Guangdong and Hong Kong — they took root here, leading to the formation of the Kwang Hoi Chiu Association. Many of the founding seniors worked at Shell. They not only built the foundation for the association but also left a profound impact on the structure and development of the local Chinese community."

He stated that generations of leaders from the Kwang Hoi Chiu Association have worked diligently and thriftily, even investing in properties, enabling the association’s steady financial standing today. “Now, Kwang Hoi Chiu has already entered its second and third generation of leadership, which is the result of the foresight and efforts of our predecessors. We must cherish this.”

Lee Kim Shin stated that since Sarawak began promoting its autonomy agenda, the state’s revenue has significantly increased. "In 2017, Sarawak's revenue was only about RM5.7 billion; it has now risen to RM14.2 billion, almost doubling." This has enabled the Sarawak government to push forward with the construction of 17 bridges, roads, and multiple basic infrastructure projects.

He particularly mentioned the 142-kilometer road stretching across Miri, Marudi, Mulu, Long Panai, and Long Lama, with a construction cost of RM3.8 billion, has officially commenced in sections. “In the future, travel from Miri to Marudi will take only half an hour, and to Mulu in about two hours. This highway will greatly boost tourism, agriculture, and industrial development — it is very crucial.”

He said, compared to the past dependence on the federal government, Sarawak is now able to independently build large-scale infrastructure relying on its own finances. “This demonstrates the importance of Sarawak's self-reliance.”

Lee Kim Shin pointed out that the Sarawak government is actively promoting the smart city plan, including the launch of free smart public bus services, allowing citizens to easily travel around Miri.

In addition, this year the Sarawak government allocated RM90 million to various religious places, including temples, churches, and Hindu temples, to support the development of Sarawak’s multi-religious culture.

On education, he reiterated that from next year onwards, Sarawak will fully implement the policy of free tuition at local state-owned universities. “As long as they are Sarawak-born students who are successfully admitted to state government-owned universities, they will receive full tuition waivers. This is a unique policy nationwide.”

He revealed that the old Miri Municipal Building will be converted into a medical research institute integrating Western and Chinese medicine, and will introduce artificial intelligence technology to assist in diagnosis. “The project is expected to be completed early next year. In the future, Miri will not only be an oil town, but also become a regional center for medical research and education.”

In addition, the Sarawak government is negotiating with medical colleges to set up a branch campus in Miri to further promote academic and medical development.

Lee Kim Shin emphasized that Sarawak’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious unity is the most important driving force for the state’s development. “The development, prosperity, and future of Sarawak must be guarded by Sarawakians together, not by letting outside voices influence our direction.”

He called on the public to continue to support the Sarawak government's policies and work together for a brighter future. He wished all elders of the Kwang Hoi Chiu Association good health and happy families, and affirmed that the association’s annual Respect for the Elderly Banquet fully demonstrates the spirit and value of the Chinese tradition of respecting seniors.