大马华总永久名誉会长兼沙华堂总会长丹斯里吴添泉元旦献词：励精图治共创未来
丹斯里吴添泉：新的一年，冀全面兑现“沙巴40%净税收权益”。
时光荏苒，回首过去，展望未来，希望全民和华社，继续以精诚团结的精神和步伐，积极融合的思维，在充满挑战的时局中，砥砺前行。
过去的一年，我国在国际外交上，可说是创下高光时刻，尤其是在担任东盟轮值主席国，包括东盟峰会和东盟+3峰会等多项国际重要峰会或许多大小会议，都在我国召开，此外，中、美等在内的世界许多国家领导人也纷纷前来出席会议和访问，让我国成为举世关注的焦点！
此外，首相拿督斯里安华也持续主政以来的积极多面向外交访问，到世界各国招商引资，为国家引进外资，表现备受肯定。
然而，同样的一年里，国内局势仍然充满许多挑战，包括瞬息万变且争锋相对的政局，极端种族和宗教主义的滋长和所带来的挑衅，有待振兴的经济和人民期待进一步提升的政府各部门机构治理考验等等，都是令人高度关切的焦点。
此外，除了物价和生活成本提高，联邦政府实施的一些政策也出现了诟病而引来人民争议不满，例如税收局“拖欠”而以几年来摊还企业商家多缴税款；进一步扩大销售及服务税（SST）；禁酒及清真认证；东马人民最关心的履行1963年马来西亚建国契约（MA63）承诺进度，以及沙巴政府与人民争取中的兑现“沙巴40%净税收权益”等。
对于沙巴而言，过去一年也刚完成了州选举，在这场政权顺利平和交替，拿督斯里哈芝芝继续领导的新届政府产生过程中，包括华社在内，尽管出现所谓的反风，但普遍上，华人和各族选民，都在民主制度下，通过最实际的行动和手中选票，投选了“本土和自主权”一票！
然而，州选刚过，新的一年又将迎来一国一州补选，朝野又将展开新一轮的对垒，惟战局都不会对国或州的整体政局带来重大影响，结果就让大家拭目以待吧。
随着高庭判决，联邦不上诉后，有关要求联邦兑现“沙巴40%净税收权益”方面，将在新的一年里备受瞩目，毕竟这项争取可说是沙政府和全体人民多年来的最大期盼和呼声之一。
无论如何我建议，一旦全面落实，除了将为沙带来更多税收之外，政府也有必要以最高的透明度和健全的机制来处理，确保净税收的每一分钱都运用得宜，并全面用在沙巴各领域发展和全民福祉上！
除此之外，我也希望，西马一些政客鼓动的极端种族和宗教课题，不会“蔓延”到沙巴或东马，这种为了政治利益而蓄意炒作的要不得作风，近年来在西马频频发生，导致分化人民，撕裂社会和国家！
我认为，尤其是对像我国这样多元种族、多元国情组成的国家，一些西马政客这种长期把“极端民粹化”的从政作风是非常危险且不负责任的，必须马上杜绝！
新的一年，不论是沙巴或是联邦，政府和人民必须全面配合，官民合作“抗极端、挻中庸”！
我们希望政府通过良好施政，严控不断高涨的物价和生活成本，协助降低个人和家庭债务，推出完善的医疗保健和退休养老等福利，为人民带来更高的“幸福感”。
Tan Sri T. C. Goh, Life Honorary President of Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) and President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS), New Year's Message: Striving Together to Create a Better Future
As time passes and we look back on the past while looking ahead to the future, it is my hope that the entire nation and the Chinese community will continue to move forward with a spirit of unity and sincerity, an inclusive mindset, and steady steps, persevering through these challenging times.
Over the past year, our country has achieved what can be described as high points in international diplomacy, especially while serving as the ASEAN Chair. Numerous important international summits and meetings, including the ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, were held in Kuala Lumour. In addition, many world leaders, including those from China and the United States, came to attend these meetings and paid official visits, placing our nation in the global spotlight.
Furthermore, since assuming office, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has continued to actively pursue multifaceted diplomatic engagements, visiting many countries to attract investments and bring foreign capital into the country—efforts that have been widely recognized and affirmed.
However, during the same year, the domestic situation has remained fraught with challenges. These include a rapidly shifting and confrontational political landscape, the rise of extreme racial and religious ideologies and the provocations they bring, the need to revitalize the economy, and the public’s expectations for improved governance and efficiency across government agencies—all of which are issues of serious concern.
In addition to rising prices and living costs, some federal government policies have also drawn criticism and public dissatisfaction. Examples include the Inland Revenue Board’s delays in refunding overpaid taxes to businesses over several years, the expansion of the Sales and Services Tax (SST), alcohol bans and halal certification issues, the progress of fulfilling the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which is of great concern to the people of East Malaysia, as well as Sabah’s ongoing efforts to realize its entitlement to 40% of net tax revenue.
For Sabah, the past year also saw the completion of a state election. During this smooth and peaceful transition of power, which resulted in Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Noor continuing to lead the new state government, the Chinese community and other ethnic groups—despite talk of an alleged “countercurrent”—generally exercised their democratic rights through concrete action and the ballot box, casting a vote for “localism and autonomy.”
However, with the state election now over, the new year will bring a parliamentary and a state by-election, where both the government and opposition will once again face off. Nevertheless, these contests are not expected to have a major impact on the overall national or state political landscape, and the outcomes remain to be seen.
Following the High Court’s ruling and the federal government’s decision not to appeal, the issue of fulfilling Sabah’s entitlement to 40% of net tax revenue will be closely watched in the coming year. This long-standing demand represents one of the greatest hopes and calls of the Sabah government and its people.
That said, I would suggest that once this is fully implemented, while it will bring greater tax revenue to Sabah, the government must also manage it with the highest level of transparency and sound mechanisms, ensuring that every cent of the net tax revenue is properly utilized and fully directed toward Sabah’s development and the well-being of all its people.
In addition, I hope that the extreme racial and religious issues stirred up by certain politicians in Peninsular Malaysia will not “spill over” into Sabah or East Malaysia. This unacceptable practice of deliberately inflaming such issues for political gain has occurred frequently in recent years in Peninsular Malaysia, leading to the division of the people and the tearing apart of society and the nation.
I believe that for a country like ours, which is composed of diverse races and circumstances, this long-standing practice by some West Malaysian politicians of pursuing “extreme populist” politics is extremely dangerous and irresponsible, and must be stopped immediately.
In the new year, whether in Sabah or at the federal level, both the government and the people must work together in full cooperation—standing against extremism and upholding moderation.
We hope the government will govern well, strictly control the continuously rising cost of living, help reduce individual and household debt, and introduce comprehensive healthcare, retirement, and elderly welfare policies, so as to bring the people a greater sense of happiness and well-being.
