THE high level of cultural diversity in the Australian Parliament today is very much unthought of and very admirable given the country’s perceived dominant western influence.
A testimony of this was when Johor-born Sam Lim Bon Cheng stood up yesterday (Sept 6) to make his maiden speech as the Australian Labour Party MP for Tangney in three languages – Malay, Mandarin and English.
In his speech, Lim sought permission from the speaker of Parliament to pay tribute to his friends and supporters all around the world in Malay and Mandarin with a translation in English.
“To all my friends in Malaysia, Australia and abroad, thanks for all the care and love … special thanks to those who have reached out to support and help me in the Australian General Election,” he told the lower house in Canberra.
Lim’s speech was so impressive that his Labour Party colleague and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts tweeted: “Filled with love, he gave thanks in three languages – Malay, Mandarin and English. I’m so proud the reality of the thriving diversity of the modern Australian community is now being reflected in our Parliament.”
@SamLimMP’s first speech in Parliament today was extraordinary.
Filled with love, he gave thanks in three languages – Malay, Mandarin and English.
I’m so proud the reality of the thriving diversity of the modern Australian community is now being reflected in our Parliament. pic.twitter.com/xhOiliULsy
— Tim Watts MP (@TimWattsMP) September 6, 2022
Netizen Bradley Smith who must be familiar with Malaysia and probably a linguist himself added this in his response to Watts’ tweet: “… bit of Hokkien (dialect of the Fujian province) in there as well (to his late parents), kamsiah (thank you), and Pali, ‘May all beings be well and happy’.”
In addition to women representatives now making up 38% of the Australia’s House of Representatives and 57% of the Senate – a record for both chambers – and millennials are gradually overtaking baby boomers, 15 or 6.6% out of the 227 MPs have overseas non-European backgrounds.
Of this figure, 4.4% of the Aussie MPs boast Asian heritage as compared with 18% of the larger Australian population.
The oldest of eight children, Lim, 61, had served for two years as a police constable with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) before leaving to become a dolphin trainer, and went on to run several small businesses in Malaysia and then in Australia.
“I moved to Australia with my wife and three children because I wanted them to receive a world-class education. I joined the WA (Western Australia) Police Academy in 2006 and have since worked across Perth and regional WA,” he penned on his website.
“I have always cherished and embraced my Chinese/Malay heritage. My diverse language skills led me to be appointed as a diversity engagement officer with WA Police where I work with multicultural communities across Perth.”
In 2020, Lim was awarded Police Officer of the Year for his work with multicultural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My family and I are very grateful for the opportunities Australia has provided to us. This drives me to give back to my community as a police officer, and now as the Member (MP) for Tangney,” noted Lim who won the seat during the 2022 Australian federal election on May 21 to elect members of the country’s 47th Parliament.
“I want for families in Tangney the same I want for my own family – good jobs, quality education and health care, and I know only a Labour government can deliver.”
Also catching attention back then was Sabah-born Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong Ying Yen who dropped by Malaysia and her home state while making an official visit to Malaysia in late June as part of her diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia. – Sept 7, 2022
Main pic credit: Sydney Morning Herald
