“This is based on BN’s excellent track record in managing state and national affairs for the well-being of the people regardless of race,” he said.
Tan, who has served as the assemblyman for Tanjung Papat in Sandakan for more than 25 years, said BN’s excellent track record in Sabah was not confined to the last five years but the entire 25 years since it took over the state.
He said throughout the period, the Chinese community had benefited in various ways.
“From my point of view, the Chinese community by and large is more focused on their livelihood, daily activities and also very much on the cost of living. They are very concerned about their children’s education. It is part of our culture that we give very high focus on our children’s education.
“What the Sabah state government has done in helping the Chinese community is mostly to encourage and support, particularly in the area of Chinese education. It is not just in Sandakan but the whole of Sabah.
“Like our Chinese independent schools, they are getting financial support consistently. And the financial support is not reducing. There is constant improvement in terms of the amount of contributions given to the schools,” he said.
Tan, who is also Gerakan vice-president, said the Sabah state government had allocated almost RM300 million to non-Muslim schools and houses of worship in the last 10 years.
He said under the leadership of Chief Minister Musa Aman, financial assistance for non-Muslim schools and houses of worship had increased to RM30 million annually from only RM1.5 million when Musa first took over.
“The other thing, of course, is our temples. The state government has not only been giving financial assistance but also approval to the Chinese community in building their temples,” he said.
Tan also praised Sabah’s religious and racial diversity.
“Even in my own area, Tanjong Papat, you have the Sandakan district mosque very close to a very big Chinese temple in one area. And the Chinese community and the Malays in the kampung have been living there for so many years in such harmony. There has never been any issue or problem relating to religion.”
On the BN government’s economic policy, Tan said the Chinese community in Malaysia had their own history and had played a major role in building the nation.
He said the country’s good ties with China, for instance, had resulted in a sizeable investment that would have a huge impact on Malaysia’s economic progress.
On Malaysia and Sabah’s economy, the state industrial development minister said the people, including the Chinese community, should give credit to Musa for what he had accomplished for the state and to Prime Minister Najib Razak for their leadership.
“Sometimes when you are too happy with your life, you forget who is behind all the effort and hard work to make our state and country a better place to live in.
“When the economy is strong and the ringgit and oil price strengthen, we never give credit to those behind the accomplishments.”
Click here to get live updates throughout the GE14 season.