Datuk Christina Liew.
KOTA KINABALU: As we usher in the Year of the Ox in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, we resolve to be sturdy, resilient and industrious like the Ox for a productive year in all aspects, said Tawau MP cum Api Api Assemblywoman, Datuk Christina Liew.
In her Chinese New Year message, she said the Year of the Ox symbolises strength, diligence, exerting a great deal of hard work, and persistence in the midst of obstacles.
In this regard, she said the Tionghua community will make a resolution to strive and work triply hard for a better year, economically speaking, not only for themselves and their families but also for the community and the state.
According to Liew, one school of thought is that we have to struggle in the Year of the Ox towards achieving economic recovery. “Only then can we reap the fruits of our labour, only then can we ‘roar’ in the Year of the Tiger, which is 2022. In fact, even in the outgoing year (2020), we had started the agenda to rejuvenate our economy devastated by the protracted COVID-19 pandemic.”
“While 2021 is predicted to be a highly fruitful year, it is my firm belief that there is absolutely no shortcut to success. We can’t expect success to fall on our lap effortlessly. Many will agree with me that success comes only when there is toil and sweat on our part, be it in our personal or professional life.
“Prayers are powerful too – the whole world is praying for protection from the Coronavirus. Let us all implore God to lift Malaysia and Sabah out of this scourge.
“We, as leaders, political or otherwise, do not shy away from challenges that come our way. With a positive attitude and an optimistic outlook on life, we are inclined to seek solutions to problems. We are prepared for any eventualities affecting the society, state or nation. We are with the people through thick and thin,” the former Deputy Chief Minister said.
With the revised standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Chinese New Year celebration under the Movement Control Order 2.0 (MCO 2.0), Liew said the Chinese community can now hold the traditional reunion dinner with immediate family members. “The Spring Festival is a precious time for bonding and strengthening family ties as we spend more time with our children and grandchildren.”
Meanwhile, the Tawau MP stressed that political stability in the country is of paramount importance for socio-economic development, progress and prosperity. This, she said, is achievable through anti-party hopping legislation. “Party defections, upon winning an election, not only constitute an act of betrayal vis-a-vis the electorate who voted them to power, but will also potentially plunge a nation into political turmoil and social unrest.”
At this juncture, Liew called on Malaysians in Sabah to cherish and perpetuate its multi-racial unity, religious diversity and cultural plurality for which the state is well-known.
On the revival of the tourism sector, the former Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment expressed optimism that the global tourism industry will flourish again when countries regain the status of ‘green travel’ zones and when travel confidence is back.
“This is plausible with global collaboration and appropriate lifting of travel restrictions when the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. All tourism players and stakeholders hope to see a rebound of global tourism this year while continuing to exercise safety precautions,” she said.
Meanwhile, Liew commended ESSCOM (Eastern Sabah Security Command) for having foiled numerous abduction bids and other cross-border crimes in the waters of the ESSZONE (Eastern Sabah Security Zone) since 2018, while acknowledging the role of other enforcement authorities such as the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in the successful operations.
“With marked improvements in security, I had, during my 26-month tenure as Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, played my part in raising the possibility of lifting the travel advisory against visiting the east coast of Sabah with the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia and the authorities in Japan and Germany,” she recalled.
Hopefully, the reversal of such travel advisories will see the light of day in the future, she added.
Wishing all a Happy, Oxspicious and Prosperous Chinese New Year.
Gong Xi Fa Cai.
