Blame it on lack of exposure and hectic work schedule

METROPERAK spoke to youths in Ipoh to learn about their views on joining Chinese associations. 

While most of them have expressed disinterest in joining the associations, there are also some who feel that it is the duty of youths to promote the significance of Chinese associations to more youths.

Secondary school students Ting Ching Err and Goh Ai Wen, both 16, said they did not or plan to join Chinese associations mainly because they had not been exposed to their activities.

“My parents are not part of any Chinese associations as well,” said Ching Err.

Ai Wen, who is a Leo Club member of her school together with Ching Err, said however, she would consider joining the Lions Club after leaving school instead of going for Chinese associations.

“This is because we have joined the club since we were in secondary school and we have fostered a close friendship with many seniors as well.

“By joining the club, we are able to serve the community by raising funds and cooking food for the needy together with many of our friends,” she said.

Salesperson Nelson Chang, 23, said he simply had no time to join any association, not only Chinese associations, because of his gruelling working hours.

“I work from 10am to 10pm six days a week. So on the one day that I am off, I would like to rest at home all day.

“Besides, I also have to take care of my own errands on that one precious off day as well sometimes,” he said.

Another salesperson, Teh Yue Hoong, 21, said he did not know that Chinese associations existed.

“I’ve never heard of them. But I am also working long hours six days a week, from 10am to 7pm daily.

“I don’t see myself being a part of any associations outside of work because I would love to stay home and rest when I can,” he said.

Waiter Jason Tang, 23, said he heard stories of Chinese associations but they mostly revolved around “playing mahjong together.”

“I’m not interested in joining because I prefer to find friends and ‘yumcha’ with them after I get off work.

“I know that there are many of these Chinese associations in Ipoh, but I don’t think their activities are relevant to my interests,” he said.

As for media practitioner Soo Khong Chin, the 30-year-old, who is a part of the Ipoh Chin Kang Association, said he decided to join a Chinese association because he recognised its importance.

“I used to study Chinese Studies in university and from there, I learned a lot about their history.

“They used to play an important role to the Chinese community because back then when our forefathers migrated to Malaya, these associations were the ones that help to arrange lodgings and work for them,” he said.

Soo said these Chinese associations, were able to attract quite a number of Chinese immigrants over here, which had, in a way, contributed in to the Chinese community being the second largest ethnic group in Malaysia.

“The reason I joined a Chinese association myself because I think there is a need for youths to understand the importance of these associations.

“When youths say they don’t have the interest to join, it is simply because they don’t know the significance of these associations,” he said.

Soo added that by joining associations, one would be able to learn more of where their forefathers originated from.

“Although the function of these associations were no longer vastly applicable today, they can still remain relevant by turning the function the other way round.

“Which means that they can ferry Malaysian Chinese here back to the mainland to discover and learn more about the place their forefathers came from,” he said.

Although he does not think that he could change the entire community, Soo said he was happy to do what he could as an individual in educating more youths on the importance of Chinese associations.

“These associations still hold value to the Chinese community, and I hope to do my best in engaging with more youths by joining a Chinese association for people with the same surnames as me,” he said.