Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) wants to reiterate Sarawakians Chinese are NOT Pendatang. The Sarawakian Chinese are born and bred in Sarawak and contribute to the nation building of Sarawak, and Malaysia as a whole.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party President YB Senator Prof. Dr. SIm Kui Hian deeply regretted the comment by Datuk Raja Arif Raja Ali, Director of National Civics Bureau (BTN) that it was alright to refer to Malaysian Chinese as Pendatang. Its shocking that as a Head of Government Unit, Datuk Raja Arif could come out with such a divisive and inflammatory remark base on ignorance of history and nation building. It is inconceivable that civilized nation like Malaysia would have such a narrow-minded high ranking officer.
In the spirit of Unity, our Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has repeatedly called on all quarters not to label Chinese as Pendatang. Even our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has recently proclaimed, “You are not Pendatang. You are sons of Malaysia”.
Instead of harping on our racial differences, National Civics Bureau should focus on our common interest in building a more harmonious and more progressive Malaysia.
SUPP stands firm on the fact that Sarawak Chinese are important component of the Sarawak Community who have contributed enormously to our Nation Building.
As such it is absurd and wrong to call them Pendatang.
