Dr Sim: My remark on S’wakians being successful overseas not meant to belittle them

KUCHING (Jan 13): The recent remark made by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian relating to Sarawakians having chosen to pursue their careers overseas was never meant to negate, criticise or belittle them.

The state Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government said his comments were made in the context of reflecting on Sarawak’s current stage of development.

In referring to recent media reports and online comments surrounding his remarks on Sarawakian talents working abroad, Dr Sim said: “I wish to provide a brief clarification to ensure that my original intent would be properly understood.

“While we have produced many successful talents from Sarawak, we must also focus on developing and retaining talents for Sarawak itself, considering we are on a strong growth trajectory.

“Sarawak is proud of every Sarawakian who has achieved success on the international stage through hard work, dedication, and ability.

“When talented Sarawakians seek opportunities abroad, this should not be seen as a personal shortcoming; rather, it reflects the reality that Sarawak must continue improving the quality of opportunities, professional pathways, and living environment needed to support and retain talent.

“This is a challenge that leaders must address honestly and responsibly,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Dr Sim said for this reason, he had consistently emphasised, including during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sittings, the importance of ‘engaging Sarawakians everywhere, including those overseas, as partners in Sarawak’s development and nation-building’.

According to Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president, the state is at a critical stage of transformation.

“We need talents, experiences, ideas and commitment more than ever.

“The Sarawak government remains committed to strengthening the economic structure and living environment so that talents would be encouraged to stay, and they are welcomed to contribute in whatever form possible,” he pointed out.

“No matter where you are in the world, Sarawak will always be your home.

“Your achievements matter, your experience matters, and everyone regardless where you are, can play a role in contributing towards collective building of our homeland,” he expressed assurance.

At the Kuching Heritage Race (KHR) appreciation dinner hosted by the Kuching Heritage Awareness Society (KHAS) last Thursday, Dr Sim was quoted as describing Sarawakians who chose not to return to their homeland to contribute to the state’s development, as ‘being not truly successful’.

“Sarawak has produced many high-achieving individuals, but the true measure of their success must include giving back to the state and participating in nation-building.

“We are very successful in many ways. The classic example is our mission schools are so successful, our Chinese schools, so successful, but so successful that all our students coming from all these places, they are so famous in the world, they go all over the world, but they never come home.

“So, I don’t call that successful for Sarawak.”

Nevertheless, in his statement yesterday, the Deputy Premier clarified that what he meant to say then was: “Sarawak is not successful if we fail to keep them or make them return home to contribute.”