BIDOR: The government is focused on addressing concerns raised by the Chinese community which revolves around four main issues, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the issues, which include citizenship for adopted children, if addressed properly, would be a touch point that would bring the government closer to the community.
“The first issue revolves around citizenship of adopted children as well as those who arrived in the country before independence, in accordance to Article 19 (1) of the Federal Constitution.
“It also involve the stateless children where the mothers had left the country. Because of this, these children are not able to attend national schools.
“Secondly, the Chinese community is concerned with the education. In this regard, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has taken steps to assist all the vernacular schools.
“The third issue is the matter of safety, which is my jurisdiction as the Home Minister,” he told reporters after attending DPM get-together with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), here, tonight.
Zahid said the fourth issue revolved around business opportunity and micro credit assistance provided by the government.
“I feel that if these four matters are addressed, it will be a good touch point for the Chinese, especially those in Bidor and Sungkai, as well as Perak in general.
“I am also sure that Chinese in other states are also hoping for the same issues (to be addressed),” he said.
Zahid in his speech earlier, pledged to look into the plight of some 300 farmers who did not have sufficient land for their agriculture activities, should BN win all the seats in Tanjung Malim constituency.
He added that the government continuously strived to find solutions for problems faced by Malaysians regardless of race.
Also present were Perak MCA chairman and Barisan Nasional (BN) election candidate for Tanjung Malim parliamentary constituency, Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon; Perak MIC chairman and BN candidate for Sungkai state seat, Datuk V Elango; state BN Wanita chief and candidate for Behrang state seat, Datuk Rusnah Kassim; and BN Tanjung Malim chief and candidate for Slim state seat, Datuk Khusairi Talib.
