Kwan (fifth from right) tossing yee sang with Comm Mohd Yusri (sixth from right), Liew (sixth from left) and other dignitaries during the lunar new year dinner.
MORE efforts are needed to encourage Chinese youth to join the police force.
The Perak Chinese Assembly Hall (PCAH) president Datuk Kwan Foh Kwai said it is an honour to serve the country.
“Chinese parents rarely encourage their children to work in the police or armed forces as they deem these professions dangerous.
“We will assist the police by influencing and encouraging more Chinese youth to join,” he said in his speech during a Chinese New Year dinner with Perak police chief Datuk Seri Comm Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri at a hotel in Ipoh.
“We can work with the police to visit Chinese schools and encourage children to join,” he said, adding that many Chinese secondary schools already have police cadet corps.
“I believe as long as they understand the importance as well as benefits of joining the police, we can see an increase in youth joining the force.
“We are willing to serve as an ambassador for the police to present this positive message to the Chinese community,” he said.
Kwan also pointed out that crime prevention is not the sole responsibility of the police, as the community should also get involved.
“PCAH is prepared to work with the police by holding more crime prevention activities including on online scams,” he said.
He noted PCAH’s role has changed over the years.
“Before Independence, our main function was to assist the British government in preserving peace and resolving conflict, which is why we are known as an assembly hall.
“After Independence, various government institutions were set up and laws created to preserve peace and harmony.
“We now act as a bridge between the community, government and politicians in issues like the economy, culture and education,” he added.
The dinner was jointly organised by PCAH, Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI) and police.
PCAH and PCCCI also jointly donated RM20,000 to the Perak Police Social and Sports Club.
Also present were PCCCI president Datuk Liew Chee Ming, deputy state police chief Deputy Comm Azizi Mat Aris and state police special branch chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar.
