THERE must be more Chinese ministers in the Barisan Nasional government to ensure the community is better represented, said caretaker prime minister Najib Razak.

Bernama reported him as saying he hopes the people will give the mandate to BN in the 14th general election, and ensure that all of the coalition’s Chinese candidates win their seats.

He said there is a need for a multiracial cabinet, so that BN can take care of all Malaysians equally.

“In the last cabinet, there were only three (Chinese) representatives because they (BN’s Chinese candidates) didn’t do well in the last general election,” he said at a meet-the-people programme with the Tionghua community in Sandakan.

“I wish I could have done more (to increase the number of Chinese ministers). So, please give us (BN) a strong mandate in GE14.”

The BN chairman said he hopes that the people, particularly the Chinese, will not be swayed by the opposition, especially DAP.

He said the low number of Chinese ministers in his government was because most Chinese-majority constituencies had voted for DAP in GE13.

“Democracy is a game of numbers. As they make up only 23% or 24% of the country’s total population, the Chinese cannot form a government.

“But the Chinese, together with other races, can form a strong government. I want a strong Chinese representation in BN because I want to take this country to greater heights.”

Najib said there were many entrepreneurs and corporate leaders among the Chinese, and as such, the community stands to gain more by voting for BN.

He said the International Monetary Fund projected that Malaysia’s economic growth will remain strong, after having recorded an impressive 5.8% growth last year.

“We can do it (record higher economic growth this year) because the global market is waiting for a strong mandate (in GE14), and when BN forms the government after GE14, there will be a bull run at the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.

“When market confidence soars, who will benefit? Most of you (the Chinese) will benefit because most of you are corporate leaders. You know how to make money.” – April 30, 2018.