(Kuching, Jan 7) Batu Lintang State Assemblyman and Honorary President of Kuching Teochew Association, Shi Zhihou, expressed his gratitude for the unity of fellow compatriots, who have been working hard to organize various activities. The 'Gratitude 160, Everlasting Teochew Affection' is heartening and our pride.
He revealed that 200 years ago and earlier, the red-head boats brought forebears to Sarawak. With the efforts of successive executive committees, the Kuching Teochew Association has grown into a strong and mature community organization.
He stated that last year, under the leadership of the recently retired president, Chou Wensheng, the association organized a series of activities throughout the year, bringing together Teochew compatriots from around the world to Sarawak to celebrate the grand occasion of the 160th anniversary of the Kuching Teochew Association.
'160 years ago, in 1864, Teochew affection started to take root and blossom in Sarawak.'
See Chee How remarked at the inauguration banquet of the 65th Executive Committee, 25th Youth Council, and 12th Women's Council of the Kuching Teochew Association last night, that the founding and development of the Kuching Teochew Association runs parallel and is related to the nation-building and development of Sarawak.
He noted that today, Sarawak's society is stable and harmonious. Over the past ten years, the political situation has undergone significant changes. New leadership and new ethos prioritize Sarawak and focus on the people.
He stated that Sarawak's revenue has doubled, increasing from 7 billion ringgit in 2014 to 15 billion ringgit this year. Many plans that benefit the nation and the people are actively being planned and procured.
See Chee How pointed out that the new president, Chen Jiafu, has put forward his and the new executive leadership's association work guidelines to integrate with the Vietnamese government’s post-2030 pandemic development strategies, focusing on the inheritance, innovation, and transformation of Teochew culture.
'President Jiafu is an ambitious, visionary, practical, and energetic leader. After being elected president, he and several leaders have met with me twice to discuss the vision and plans for the new term. He is well aware of the important mission of the presidency and has made comprehensive preparations.'
He mentioned that the new president, executive committee members, women's group, and youth group members, along with the respected advisors and honorary presidents of Teochew ancestry, should jointly shoulder the responsibility. They should assist various action and working groups and fully initiate and embody the spirit of 'cultural inheritance, sustainable development, and courage for innovation' to promote Sarawak's Teochew culture on the global stage.
He has firm confidence in the association and its leaders, extending his heartfelt blessings and full support.
'Let us continue to unite, let us sail out of Sarawak on the red-head boats again, let us join hands with all ethnic groups in Sarawak to venture into the world, and jointly create a new chapter for Sarawak that allows all sons and daughters of Sarawak to leap and soar on the global stage, benefiting Sarawak.'