PEKAN: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has taken the DAP-led opposition to task for its continuous efforts to fan the flames of hatred among the people, which he believes would eventually lead to losses for the country in the long-term.
The prime minister said this can be seen in the opposition’s declaration that it would cancel all contracts signed between Malaysia and China if it came into power, without taking into account the effects it would have on those whose livelihood depends on these investments.
He said the opposition’s game of toying with the people’s sentiments is akin to the approach adopted by the Malay literature character ‘Pak Pandir’ (the archetypal fool), in which they do things without thinking of the implications.
“What happens if Geely (Zhejiang Geely Holding Co Ltd) is ordered to no longer become a partner with Proton (Holdings Bhd)? Who loses? They would be the workers of DRB Hicom, who would lose their jobs,” said Najib before a crowd of 2,500 DRB Hicom employees here on Friday.
Najib pointed out that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government’s clear direction for the nation puts the people’s interests first, as seen in its helping Proton avoid bankruptcy. This, he said, was evident from the partnership sealed between Proton and Geely.
“Proton must not be allowed to become extinct. Proton must be healed to allow it to shine on the international stage. It is both for the welfare of the workers and for the pride of the nation.
“All this while, Proton has been showcased as our national car maker. If it were to go bankrupt, it would be a major smear on our nation,” said Najib, who is also Finance Minister.
He said that was the reason why he pushed for government funding for Proton to help its research and development, among others, to help it weather through its financial problems in the past.
“With the aid, Proton was able to secure a strategic partner (in Geely),” he said, adding that this has also allowed Proton to benefit from Geely’s high-level expertise in the automotive industry.
He said Proton was required to seek a strategic partner and its choice of Geely was apt, given its massive R&D capability and large volume of car sales.
“The government did not make this decision, the management of Proton and DRB-Hicom did based on Geely’s merits.
“Proton’s decision to form a strategic partnership with Geely was correct as the automotive company now owne Volvo as well as owns shares in the Mercedes group in Germany,” he said.
Najib also castigated the opposition over claims that Malaysia is selling its sovereignty to China via tie-ups like Proton-Geely.
“They claim that this is equivalent to selling (Malaysia’s) sovereignty to China.
“Then why has this issue not arose in Sweden?” he asked in reference to Geely’s full ownership of Swedish car manufacturer Volvo Cars AB.
At the event, the audience cheered when Najib also announced that 60,000 DRB Hicom employees nationwide would each receive a RM500 incentive on April 30.
Further applause followed when Najib announced that 100 out of 500 units of a new People’s Housing Project (PPR) here would be for DRB Hicom employees.
Also present were DRB-Hicom chairman Datuk Mohammad Zainal Shaari, its group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Faisal Albar, and Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek.