KANGAR: A Chinese community communication group is formed to forge closer ties between Chinese organizations, Chinese community and the state government, after a courtesy call to Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.

The apolitical communication group is established after Perlis Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Koay Chee khoon and Perlis Chinese Assembly Hall president Tan Wei Chong led a delegation of representatives from the two organizations to meet Mohd Shukri for the first time after he became menteri besar.

Mohd Shukri was of the view that the visit offered a good opportunity for parties to exchange views and for him to get to know the two groups representing the Chinese community.

He hoped that information could be channeled to the Chinese community through the communication group.

Koay said the visit aims to promote mutual understanding between the state government and the local Chinese community.

“We have visited many government departments in the last six months and have discovered that a lot of information was not channeled to the Chinese community.

“For instance, vocational courses offered by industrial training institutes are suitable for Chinese students too, but many are not aware of such courses and miss the opportunity to sign up,” he said.

Ch’ng Ban Pai, advisor of Perlis Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Chinese community in Perlis used to be represented by the MCA. However, due to the change of political landscape, the state government now is without Chinese representation.

The menteri besar is keen to have a Chinese affairs officer, and a communication group has been proposed to bridge the gap.

“The two Chinese groups have proposed to set up such a group to assist the state government in looking after the Chinese community. No subsidy is involved for this group.

“As a non-governmental organization, the group will get in touch with local Chinese community leaders to present the issues faced by the community so that the state government will get to know the community’s needs better,” said Ch’ng.

Meanwhile, Tan said Mohd Shukri is aware that the Chinese community is cautious about him, the state government, as well as PAS.

“By playing the role of a bridge between the Chinese community and the menteri besar, we hope the Chinese community will get to know the operation of the state government,” he said.

Tan is of the view that Mohd Shukri is people-friendly and he sees that the poor from all ethnic groups need help from the government.

He also took the opportunity to introduce the Perlis Chinese Assembly Hall and the Perlis Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the menteri besar.