PUTRAJAYA: Fanning anti-China sentiments, as what is being done by the opposition, would not benefit Malaysia or Asean in the least, say the nation’s Chinese business and community associations.
This racist stand, they believe, could jeopardise the good relations between Malaysia and China, as well as affect Malaysia negatively if it were to adopt a position which is contrary past and global trends.
This was the gist the message delivered to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak by around 20 leaders of Chinese non-governmental organisations and businesses, at a private lunch in Seri Perdana on Wednesday.
China-Asean Business Association Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Lim Gait Tong said anti-China sentiments would not be healthy for Malaysia.
“Such a stance by a group of politicians and racists can be harmful to continuing good relations between Malaysia and China,” he said.
Lim said China is engaging with the world, while Asean has been given a special position.
“Within Asean, Malaysia enjoys a special position. (In fact), Malaysia is a preferred destination for China and this is great for Malaysia’s economic growth in the years to come.”
He said it would be dangerous for Malaysia to take a position contrary to past and global trends.
“Malaysians should exercise their votes for stability and continuing good relations with China,” he urged.
Federation of Chinese Association Malaysia (Huazong) president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah said they told Najib that they were in agreement with him that strong ties with China were important for the nation.
“Malaysia has very good ties with China, especially with Najib at the helm,” he told reporters after the private luncheon.
He said the Chinese community also welcomed investments from China, which not only provides jobs to Malaysians, but also speed up the nation’s economic growth.
For Federation of Hokkien Associations of Malaysia Life honorary president Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng, said China’s investments in Malaysia had created an economic spillover for local businesses.
Claims by several quarters that the Malaysian economy is controlled by China, especially via investments in several mega projects, he said, were inaccurate.
Tee said that for example, the majority cent of the manpower and building materials used in the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, developed by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), were local.
“A total of 70 per cent of the building materials, are local, and so are the contractors.
“Apart from that, the Chinese contractor submitted bid at 10 per cent lower that the rest. This profits our country. They also used local labur, local engineers and local quantity surveyors. They only imported their technological experts from China,” he said.
The opposition, in its election manifesto, had pledged to review all mega projects, especially those involving China, if it wins GE14.
The projects they aim to review include the East Coast Rail Link, with an estimated development value of RM60 billion. The ECRL, spanning 688-kilometer and slated for completion in 2024, is set to be a ‘game changer’ in connecting Kuala Lumpur to Kota Baru and help transform the east coast region.
China is Malaysia’s top source of foreign direct investment, contributing 7 percent of the total 54.7 billion ringgit it received last year.
Meanwhile, C.D. Lim, who is the executive director of Farlim Holding Sdn Bhd, said as a young Malaysian at the age of 34 with three children, he would bet on better future with Asean as the European Union and the United States have their own issues to resolve.
“If I want to buy property, it will be here in the region. We should bet on a better future with common goals ” he said.
For United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) chairman Datuk Vincent Lau Lee
Ming, he said although most of the discussions with Najib during the lunch revolved around economic issues, he was happy that the recognition of the United Education Certificate (UEC) was included in Barisan Nasional’s manifesto.
“We also very happy the prime minister is a leader who supports vernacular schools,” he said.