THE Chinese are a practical people and should look to the multiracial leadership that Barisan Nasional provides, said Prime Minister Najib Razak.

“You are a practical people, you know what is good for you. This is a multiracial country and must be based on a multiracial government,” Najib said in his speech to some 16,000 participants at the patriotic Chinese people assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre today. 

“At the moment, only 6% of the leaders in the government are Chinese. This is too few,” he said.

The Chinese were also reminded not to waste their time with the opposition as BN needed strong Chinese backing in the government.

In a bid to woo them, Najib urged the Chinese to take up more leadership positions in the government.

“We don’t need to waste time with the opposition, do not waste your time with the opposition.”

Najib also took the opportunity to remind the Chinese traders that the government had helped them in their businesses.

“When we talk about economic growth or business opportunity, it is globally recognised that the Chinese are hardworking, but even as hardworking as you are, you require a government that can give the ‘keys’ (opportunity) to you.

“Just look at Public Bank, Genting, Gamuda, IOI Development, you name it. Somewhere along the line, these companies were given the key by the government and they were led by the government (to success).”

Najib also pledged to approve more Chinese vernacular schools in the country and discuss with the appropriate parties to ensure that education is secured.

“One of the requests I get from the Chinese people is to consider more SJK (C) schools where there are a lot of Chinese.

“As the government, we are going to approve more SJK (C) schools, we will look at which area the Chinese are predominant and we will approve a school there.

“I will discuss with MCA, Gerakan and the country’s planning units about this, I give you the pledge to make that happen.”

However, Najib said he will do all these under one condition – that the Chinese improve their proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia. 

“Even though I have been a prime minister for nine years, I have approved more funds for the Chinese schools than a certain prime minister of 22 years.

“When you have more schools, please strengthen your proficiency in BM, you must speak good BM.

“No more ‘gua’ and ‘lu’ (Chinese slang), after 60 years of Merdeka. When we add the schools, we want its pupils to be good in Bahasa Malaysia.”

Najib added that he wants to see Malaysia as the top 20 successful nations by 2020, and it is crucial that racial harmony and unity is preserved to achieve this.

“We will be one of the top 20 successful nation, I don’t want to be ‘just so’, I want to set the bar high, so we can achieve anything that we strive for.

“There are shortcomings, but that is nothing to the huge successes that we have gained. One day we will achieve our dreams as a top 20 nation in the world in 2020.” – September 16, 2017.