Goh (fifth right) receiving a memento from Fung (fifth left), witnessed by Pan (at the middle), while the other VIPs look on.
KOTA KINABALU,: The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) Tan Sri T C Goh has hoped the Unity Government can fully adopt the principles of unity and teamwork to guide the nation through these challenging times of economic uncertainty, racial and religious provocations and political turmoil.
He said as ordinary citizens, everyone hopes that the State and Federal Governments will continue to govern and lead with a “big team” spirit, working together to lead Sabah and Malaysia towards rapid recovery in the post-pandemic era, and to revive the currently sluggish economy.
Goh, who is also the President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS), was speaking at the dinner banquet of the 53rd Sabah State Youth Cup Basketball Championship, for boys and girls under 17, organised by Kota Kinabalu Basketball Association (KKBA), at the Putera Theatre Banquet Hall, in Bukit Padang here, Friday.
Also in attendance were Sabah Basketball Association President Pan Chee Yong, KKBA President Kapitan Fung Chun Fatt and Vice President Chen Ee Sheng, among others.
Goh cited that the teamwork spirit demonstrated in basketball can also be applied to the Unity Government, stressing that governing with the spirit of unity and teamwork is the best approach.
He also expressed appreciation and support for the Prime Minister’s announcement during his recent visit to Sabah to allocate RM80 million to establish the Sabah National Heart Centre (SNHC), as the second-largest cardiac treatment center after the Kuala Lumpur National Heart Institute. He hoped that this plan could be promptly implemented.
He said that the establishment of the heart centre has been long-awaited, as the level of medical services in Sabah, including cardiac care, needs significant improvement. Many economically capable patients have had to travel to Kuala Lumpur for cardiac treatment, while those less fortunate or with sudden medical conditions often face difficulties accessing timely treatment, which is regrettable and unfortunate.
“Just as the Prime Minister mentioned, although the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Kota Kinabalu has a cardiology clinic, catheterisation laboratory, cardiac surgery operating room, three specialists and 120 nurses, this is certainly not enough for the people of Sabah,” he said.
He thus applauded and supported the Prime Minister’s decision to designate the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) II as the National Heart Centre and to immediately increase the number of specialists and medical staff by three.
He also urged the Federal Government to consider establishing a national cancer centre in Sabah, similar to the one in Kuching, Sarawak, to benefit the people of Sabah, as both East Malaysian states have vast territories and needs.
Goh, who is also the Honorary Life President of KKBA, also emphasised that basketball emphasises teamwork above individual skills.
“Only through this can the greatest and most effective performance be achieved, striving for ultimate victory,” he said.
“I always encourage the younger generation to take up sports, especially basketball, because basketball is one of the sports that emphasises teamwork the most. Cultivating teamwork from a young age is crucial in today’s society and era,” he added.
He believed that in this era of computerisation, information technology, mechanisation and artificial intelligence, individual efforts are no longer sufficient or suitable.
Instead, what matters is collaboration, integration and teamwork to maximize efficiency and achieve greater goals, whether in sports, family life, business operations, community organisations or national leadership, he said.
