KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government was committed to help the Chinese community attain economic wealth and quality education.
He said he fully understood that these two things were foremost in their minds.
“I know what you want - economic wealth and quality education. But you require peace, harmony, and stability before achieving that, and a government that is fair to you," he said.
“Without peace in the country, the Chinese will be the first to be targeted and that is why we are a moderate government committed to peace and mutual harmony.”
He praised the Chinese as patriotic citizens who deserved due recognition for their continuous contributions to the country.
Najib was addressing more than 15,000 people at the Chinese Community Patriotic Assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here today.
Organised by MCA in conjunction with Malaysia Day, the event was also attended by MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Najib said the government was dedicated to fight Islamic State and make sure they don’t harm anyone in the country including the Chinese.
At the same time, he noted that while the Chinese were recognized globally as hard working entrepreneurs, they would require a government that would open the door for them.
In this regard, Najib said that many Chinese were among the top 10 richest Malaysians, and the government had given many opportunities to Chinese businesses such as Genting Group and YTL Corporation.
“That’s because we want the Chinese community to succeed. We will continue the moderate and inclusive policy in being progressive and fair.
“But we also need the Chinese to support us because, if we look at the political reality today, only Umno and Pas are viable Malay parties,” he said, adding that the Opposition was in shambles and hardly fit for government.
He urged the people not to waste their time with the Opposition whose favorite tactic was to blame Barisan Nasional to cover up their many faults.
Najib said they can’t even manage a state, citing the recent floods in Penang as a good example.
He lambasted the Penang government for spending RM300 million on feasibility study for development project but not willing to spend on flood mitigation.
He said there was even a joke going around that if DAP wins, the people will swim (kalau DAP menang, rakyat berenang).
The prime minister wants a strong representation of the Chinese in the government as the number of BN Chinese MPs in the Parliament was too few.
He expressed confidence that the Chinese will support the government, noting that they were practical people.
“You know what’s good for you. You know the reality is that we can’t do it alone as this is a multiracial society,” he said.
Najib also announced that the government was prepared to approve more Chinese vernacular schools as many Malaysians came from such schools.
He said Chinese schools will be approved in new growth areas and the matter would be discussed with component parties in Barisan Nasional such as MCA, Gerakan and SUPP to ensure that it was a collective decision.
But there was one condition.
“When you have more Chinese schools, remember to strengthen your proficiency of Bahasa Malaysia," Najib said.
“The ingredient for unity is being able to communicate with one another well and being proud of our national identity, our multiracial culture.”
On another note, he reminded the people that there was so much to look forward to in the development of the country, such as the new mass rapid transit (MRT), River of Life, KL-Singapore high speed rail, Pan Borneo Highway, Bandar Malaysia and the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX).
He said these projects involved many Malaysian contractors and the people would reap the benefits such as countless job opportunities.
“Our success is recognised by the world, by IMF (International Monetary Fund), World Bank and Moody's Investors Service."
Najib lamented that when he brought back RM144 billion investment from China, the Opposition accused him of selling out the country’s sovereignty.
He said the trade deals with China had benefitted Malaysia tremendously as it provided the country with a huge export market.
Furthermore, 2.3 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia and it was expected to increase to three million this year.
He pointed out when the Look East Policy was implemented by former premier Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, no one made a fuss that the country was being sold to Japan and South Korea.
He said the much anticipated East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) was a game changer for the entire east coast and the country was given a loan at only 3.25% from China Exim Bank, with a moratorium period of seven years.
He also noted that 30 per cent of the contracts for the project was reserved for Malaysian companies.
“As such, don’t criticise blindly as the Opposition will always try twist and turn against whatever the government is doing. They will try to confuse the people if they can’t convince them,” he said.