‘Bleak future’ for Malaysia without Chinese support says Najib
By Lee Wei Lian, The Malaysian Insider
Datuk Seri Najib Razak reached out to the Chinese Malaysian community today, conceding that the developed nation by 2020 goal might fail without its support.
This comes as the prime minister recently launched the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) to ensure Malaysia achieves a high income developed nation status in 10 years.
“Malaysia would not be what it is today without the industry, expertise and dedication of the Malaysian Chinese community,” said Najib in a speech delivered by his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the 2nd World Chinese Economic Forum here today.
“Likewise, there will be a bleak future for Malaysia without the Chinese community’s support. We would clearly fall short of reaching the goals to become a developed nation by 2020.”
He added that the community formed the backbone of the Malaysian economy through its small and medium enterprises.
The prime minister also reached out to businesses in China and encouraged them invest in the country.
“Both Malaysia and China are embarking on economic transformations,” he said. “It is in this area that I believe we will find synergies between our two countries.”
