KUALA LUMPUR: The opposition will bring the country to ruin with its incessant politicking, Gerakan said on Sunday.
Its president Datuk Mah Siew Keong said they have fostered a climate of doom by claiming that the country is going to go bankrupt, and by constantly disparaging the government especially when they are abroad.
“The opposition must give constructive comments, not destructive ones.
“They are scaring away investors and the people are the ones who lose out.
“Politics is about competing to develop the country, but in Malaysia, the opposition has only sowed fear and hatred,” he said when addressing delegates at the Gerakan 46th National Delegates Conference (NDC) at Menara PGRM here.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has done much to bring in investments.
As a result of Najib’s visits to China, India and the United States; and the visit by King Salman of Saudi Arabia to Malaysia, there have been hundreds of billions of ringgit worth of investments from these countries.
Malaysia has in turn invested in these countries, and this has engendered a symbiotic relationship, he noted.
Mah, who is also Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, said Malaysia’s cooperative and friendly foreign policy, predicated on trade and investment, will result in jobs for Malaysians and propel the economy.
"I am certain that we will be a RM2 trillion economy by the year 2025.
"Of course, our critics will belittle our efforts, and many have characterised the historic visits (overseas) as a form of “kowtowing”, and some have said that the government is selling out the country to these global powers.
"Such lies hurt Malaysia and Malaysians because we cannot grow without trade,” he said, noting that Malaysia is strengthening its historical ties by trading with China, India and the Middle East.
The Teluk Intan MP reminded the opposition that one may not like the government, but national interests must supersede political interests.
He said one should not cut one’s nose to spite one’s face, and Malaysians must collectively welcome all efforts that bring benefit to the country, regardless of political beliefs or persuasion.
Mah said this is the hallmark of a mature and developed polity, but which can only happen with a constructive opposition.