KOTA KINABALU: Permanent Honorary President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) and President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah, Tan Sri T. C. Goh warmly welcomed Singapore’s decision to establish a consulate in Sabah.
He said that once fully implemented, the move would certainly further accelerate comprehensive development between Sabah and Singapore across all sectors, particularly trade, economy and tourism, which would see significant growth.
He said Singapore’s decision to set up consulates in both Sabah and Sarawak was the result of positive consultations and consensus reached among the Malaysian federal government, the two East Malaysian state governments, and Singapore, and was also good news eagerly anticipated by the peoples of both countries.
He expressed hope that the plan would be implemented as soon as possible, preferably with the consulates becoming operational as early as next year.
He also suggested that once Singapore establishes consulates in Sabah and Sarawak, the existing trade and tourism offices of both states in Singapore could fully cooperate with the consulates and play a more proactive, mutually beneficial role.
Goh, who is also President of The Federation of Hokkien Associations Sabah & Labuan made these remarks in a statement issued today after being invited to attend the 98th anniversary celebration of the Singapore Yanling Wu Clan Association.
Other Malaysian leaders present included President of the Malaysia Wu Clan Associations Federation Dato’ Goh Ah Let, Honorary President Dato’ Goh See Lai, and Deputy Head of the Yanling Wu Youth Group Goh Sui Sen, among others.
The banquet was held at Hwa Hwee Restaurant in Toa Payoh, Singapore. The organizing chairman was Wu Kek Chai, President of the Singapore Yanling Wu Clan Association, while the association’s Honorary Advisor Wu Soon Hee served as the guest of honour.
Special guests and honorary advisors included Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs and for Social and Family Development MP Wu Pui Ming; Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture,
Community and Youth and for Sustainability and the Environment MP Wu Han Yen; Member of Parliament for Mountbatten Wu Shi Qi; as well as clan leaders and representatives from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The atmosphere was lively.
Tan Sri TC Goh welcomed and fully supported the decision announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at a joint press conference following the 12th Malaysia–Singapore Leaders’ Retreat held in Singapore earlier this month, in which Singapore announced it would establish consulates in Sabah and Sarawak.
Earlier, in the joint statement issued after the 11th Malaysia–Singapore Leaders’ Retreat held in January this year, both countries had also announced plans to set up consulates in Sabah and Sarawak. At present, Singapore has a High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and a Consulate in Johor.
Goh said that once Singapore establishes consulates in Sabah and Sarawak, it will be able to provide more effective consular services to Singapore citizens in East Malaysia, further deepening close people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
“It also symbolizes the further strengthening of relations between the two countries, especially between Sabah and Singapore, bringing more long-term and positive development to exchanges in business, tourism, education and many other fields.”-pr/BNN
