MUAR, Feb 14- The Chinese community were today urged to continue playing their role is assisting the government boost the country’s economic development, especially in a climate of global economic uncertainty.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said while the government was carrying out efforts to achieve Vision 2020, with seven more years to go, the Chinese community’s contribution was very much needed to maintain Malaysia’s
economic momentum.
“We know that if the Chinese community had not helped us all this while, we would not have come this far and be able to achieve the developed-nation status (by 2020).”
Muhyiddin said this in his speech at a Chinese New Year celebration and handing-out of Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) vouchers at Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Yue Jern, Bukit Pasir, here. The function, attended by over 8,000 local residents, was organised by 30 Chinese non-governmental organisations in Bukit Pasir. Also present were Bukit Serampang assemblyman Datuk Tahir Taat and Jorak assemblyman Datuk Dr Shaharuddin Salleh.
Muhyiddin said although many countries were facing economic problems, the Malaysian economy, however, was still able to grow, thus attracting many investors to invest in this country, making Malaysia among the top 10 countries
favoured by investors, overtaking developed countries like Japan and Germany.
He said this showed the economic policies practised by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government were uniquely Malaysian and among the best to spur economic growth which gave the people, regardless of race and religion, the opportunities
for a better life.
“In developing the country’s economy, the government had to create a conducive economic climate that would further boost investment in Malaysia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin gave the assurance that Chinese and Tamil schools would remain in the national education system for as long as BN remains in power.
“We have never prevented (the building of Chinese and Tamil schools). For more than 50 years of BN rule, we have never closed any Chinese or Tamil school.
“But we don’t know what will happen if the opposition rules this country,” he said.
BERNAMA
