Seven Clan not anti-SUPP

By NG AI FERN & VANES DEVINDRAN
sarawakstar@thestar.com.my

KUCHING: The Federation of Seven Clan Associations (FSCA) is not aimed at toppling SUPP.

It is also not meant to challenge other federations which have represented the Chinese for decades.

“This is bizarre. We definitely have no plan (to become a political party and replace SUPP),” said the initiator Chai Then Sian.

He also refuted claims that the new federation would challenge the existing United Chinese Association (UCA) in Sibu as respective clan associations are still members under the umbrella.

FSCA comprises Sibu Chiang Chuan Association, Sibu Foochow Association, Sibu Hai Nai Association, Sibu Teochew Association, Sibu Hin Hua Poo Sen Association, Sibu Kwong Wai Siew Association and Sibu Hakka Association.

The seven associations are under UCA, one of the eight divisions of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Sarawak, the umbrella for all Chinese clan, religious and welfare associations in the state.

When asked on the widespread rumour that the new federation was formed because the state leaders did not pay attention to the existing federation, Chai said: “We never said that. Do not make assumptions.”

However, he refused to comment on whether FSCA would go under the Federation of Chinese Associations of Sarawak.

“We will make the announcement (on the agenda and objective) at the right time,” he said.

It would seem that the right time is after the delegates’ meeting but Chai declined to disclose any more details such as the date of meeting, number of committee members, and how long they had been doing their planning.

He only said, “We will talk about this later.” He also kept mum on the federation’s registration and pro tem president.

Chai, who is also the president of the Federation of Chiang Chuan Associations of Sarawak and the president of Sibu Chiang Chuan Association, led a delegation of some 1,000 members to visit Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on the second day of Hari Raya Open House at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.

Also in the group were partyless youth adviser in the Chief Minister’s Department Larry Sng and independent Pelagus assemblyman George Lagong, who both claimed to be members of Sibu Chiang Chuan Association.

Chai further denied rumours that they would present a memorandum to Taib as reported in the Chinese press.

“We are here today merely to celebrate Raya. There is no political agenda, none of us are in politics.”

Chai also denied that the trip was sponsored by Sng as the seven associations had strong financial resources and could fund themselves.

He said Sng was present because he was the association’s advisor and member.

Sng, on the other hand, said he was present simply because he was a member of the Chiang Chuan Association, and he was celebrating Hari Raya cum National Day with state leaders.

“There is no other agenda. We do this every year, except this year there are more people.”

When asked whether the new federation could be a way to regain Chinese confidence in BN, he said: “We all want to see the Chinese coming together. As you can see today, many Chinese actually share the same views in that they want to celebrate in peace and harmony.

“I don’t want to comment on speculations. At this moment, I would like to see how to get Sarawakians to work together and if there is any role I can play to do that, I will be part of that,” he said when asked on the forming of a new party.

Meanwhile, Kuching Chiang Chuan Association chairman Michael Chia Yang Sin, who was with the group, said the visit was merely to represent his organisation.

“The Federation of Seven Clan Associations is in Sibu only. The association in Kuching is not in-volved and we know nothing about it.”

Kuching Chiang Chuan Association is one of the 16 associations under the Federation of Chiang Chuan Associations of Sarawak.

Other than a handful of leaders wearing vests bearing seven clans logo, most of the delegates wore vests with Chiang Chuan Association’s logo only.

Our Federation together with the Federation of 7 Clan Associations were organising a "HARI RAYA MERDEKA" Visiting on 30.08.2011-31.08.2011 to pay a visit to the Head of our State, TUN DATUK PATINGGI ABANG HAJI MUHAMMAD SALAHUDDIN BIN ABANG BARIENG and our honorable Chief Minister, PEHIN SRI HAJI ABDUL TAIB MAHMUD, and also the other Minister during this HARI RAYA in Kuching.........