‘Bleak future’ for Malaysia without Chinese support says Najib

By Lee Wei Lian

November 02, 2010

Najib Razak

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — 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.”

Najib also invited Chinese to consider making Malaysia their second home noting that the country is looking to attract the best talent from around the world as the Talent Corporation to be established next year is putting in place the “welcoming regulatory environment to help that happen”.

The prime minister’s remarks also come after observers and analysts noted that political resistance from conservative Malays have delayed reforms needed to restructure the nation into a high income economy.

At his party’s recent general assembly however, Najib made an attempt to dampen racial rhetoric by saying that there should be an end to racial debate.