MALAYSIA’S good relationship with China, which is at an all-time high, would be destroyed should the opposition come into power, Prime Minister Najib Razak said today.

He said Malaysians must seek to avoid such a situation as the country was deriving enormous benefits from its diplomatic ties with the economic superpower.

“Some opposition politicians accuse us of surrendering our sovereignty,(they are) telling lies such as those who buy the apartment and condominium units in Forest City in Johor will get citizenship, and that Malaysians cannot enter the Kuantan Chinese Industrial Park. 

“All these are designed to sow feelings of distrust between Malaysia and China.

“In fact, our previous leader has stated if they get (into power) they intend to cancel all contracts we have with China. We cannot allow this,” said Najib in a speech at a Chinese New Year event at Wisma Huazong in Seri Kembangan, this morning.

Najib was referrng to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is opposed to China’s growing presence in Malaysia.

Najib said he had confidence the Chinese community, whom he regarded as “practical” people, would make the right choice.

“Im confident if you were to decide in a proper and right manner, and (if your decision is) not based on any emotions but based on fact and reality, I’m sure you will make the right choice when the time comes,” said Najib. 

He said he understood that every community, including the Chinese, had its own priorities, and that the government recognised their concerns, hopes and aspirations.

He said the Chinese wished to live in peace and harmony in a country with political stability.

“I believe the Barisan Nasional government has delivered this since we became independent. 

“The relationship between various communities is an important facet of our political system and our way of life. 

“That is why we must ensure whatever we inherited continues and be respected because with peace and stability we can prosper,” said Najib.

He said the Chinese community would continue to benefit from government policies.

“As your prime minister, I pledge to continue policies that are fair, moderate and inclusive so we will develop a Malaysian way of life that is unique to us.

“Nobody can say there is another country like Malaysia. We must find our own Malaysian way of life. We have a winning formula and it must be supported because it will ensure a brighter future for us, for our children and grandchildren.”

He said everybody needed to work together to achieve success.

Najib said the government under his leadership had also built up a strong economy.

The event was attended by about 1,000 members of Huazong Association, an umbrella body of the Tionghua Chinese associations in Malaysia,

Najib’s leadership has been subjected to criticism by the opposition, especially his old mentor, Dr Mahathir.

The relationship between the two turned sour when Dr Mahathir alleged Najib was involved in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

As the feud escalated, Dr Mahathir quit Umno to set up Bersatu, which he now chairs.

Dr Mahathir has promised that Pakatan Harapan, which he also chairs, would review “unnecessary” mega-projects that threatened to burden the country financially if it were given the madate in at the next general election.

The PH chairman has singled out for review the RM55 billion East Coast Rail Link and the RM60 billion KL-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) projects.

“A lot of these projects are wasteful and unnecessary. We need to renegotiate and even cancel some and pay compensation.   

“But, it is better to pay compensation than to carry this huge RM200 billion borrowings this government has made,” Dr Mahathir told a forum on the impact of Chinese investments on Malaysia in October. – February 24, 2018.