MATZU, CHONG, & MUSA

No one should underestimate the feelings of the Matzu devotees on the on-going tussles between Chong Kah Kiat and Musa Aman.

Based on information extracted and interpreted from news published in local newspapers, it looks like a case of abuse of power, or negligence, or incompetence on the part of the State Government. It’s because the permit to build the statue was granted by the authority in the first place and, also from the same authority that the project was abruptly stopped with a strange circumstances and unconvincing explanation. The project was asked to stop when it was almost near its completion - with only the granite stone statue yet to be assembled and erected in place.

It was also disclosed by Chong earlier that it all started with his crash with Musa, the CM and Finance Minister back in 2007, over the Sipadan Island redevelopment where a certain project was awarded to someone known to CM without going through his ministry; and it’s only become known to public when the contractor, due to inexperience in handling eco-tourism works, bluntly caused an international rouse that saw damages to coral and marine life nakedly shown in the internet which had caused embarrassment to the country, and especially to Prime Minister Datuk Ahmad Badawi. Chong refused to bear the blunt for something not committed by himself.

Musa had not been getting the Matzu case off his shoulder ever since, and it looks like Chong has been in good control of the case. Musa, on the other hand, had been asking other BN components to come to his rescue that saw a number of enthusiastic helpers including Yee Moh Chai, Yong Tet Lee, or their respective related assistants or officials rushed in to support a so-called “all religious group” dialogue and resolved to support Musa decision on the relocation proposal of Kudat Matzu statue. They were virtually trying to gain benefits at the expenses of Chong’s misfortune.

Chong paid heftily by resignation without hesitation over his discord with Musa. His resignation was not sympathized by others including his BN colleagues and especially PM who said that Chong’s resignation will not affect BN etc….

Now that Musa Government is generous on the approval of 7.5 acres of state land in Pak Pak beach, 6KM from Kudat town, to The federation of Hainam Association in Labuan & Sabah. It’s common view that this is a show of political muscle in order to discredit Chong. Some even said that this is a despicable tactic of controlling “the Chinese by Chinese” via the PBS group co-led by Yee. Government also approved the building of a Matzu statue at the same site approved.The president of The federation of Hainam Association in Labuan & Sabah is headed by John Lim Yu Chen, Political Secretary to Yee Moh Chai.

In view of the generosity, it maybe good idea for other devotees throughout Sabah to apply similarly Matju Statues at major seaside towns, with government financial helps of course.

Perhaps the localities for erecting the statue could be in Kota Kinabalu, Papar, Kuala Penyu, Sipitang, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau, and finally Labuan. Prime consideration criteria to qualify for similar helps from government should be on the seaside towns.

What about Pagodas or any other statues that could attract tourists and of religious significance?