Chinese Business Community Must Help To Push Economic Growth Forward

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib called for Chinese Malaysian entrepreneurs to increase investment in China. He also called for the Chinese Malaysian business community to strengthen cooperation with the government-linked corporations and bumiputera (indigenous Malay) companies. He also appealed the Chinese Malaysian business community to assist the Government to bring in new investment from China to boost economic growth.

Prime Minister Najib said he was not happy that Malaysia only achieved 4.5 percent economic growth during the last quarter of 2009. He stressed the need for all people to adhere to the "1Malaysia" spirit and fight for economic growth. He said Malaysia's economic growth rate for this year should be able to reach 6 percent.

Prime Minister Najib hoped that the Chinese Malaysian businesses and enterprises could increase domestic investment this year and develop new business opportunities. He said the Government would do everything possible to provide assistance, including looking for opportunities, and strengthening the business cooperation between Chinese Malaysian businesses and the government-linked companies and bumiputera companies along such development.

Effort to Target $2 Billion Investment from China
When Prime Minister Najib presented his address at the Lunar New Year celebration dinner hosted by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), he praised the Chinese Malaysian business community in making effort to bring US$2 billion investment from China to Malaysia in 2010. Najib hoped that after Malaysian and Chinese national leaders paid mutual visit to each other's country last year, the private sector should continue to take the lead to promote Malaysia-China bilateral economic ties and development.

Najib also said that since this Lunar New Year is Year of the Tiger, all sectors should be united as one under the "1Malaysia" concept of solidarity, especially in the economic field and play the mighty tiger spirit, rather than acting like a circus tiger. He said that in order to cope with economic globalization trend, Malaysia must accelerate economic reform to face globalization challenge and competition.

He said all businesses must have the courage to meet new business challenges. He also stressed that Malaysian businesses could no longer continue to use the traditional method to do business. Najib said the Government would provide assistance to the businesses that made their investment in Malaysia.

MCA To End Conflict Soonest
Of note was that before the end of Najib's address at the dinner function, Najib suddenly reminded the audience that if they faced problem they should find solution to resolve the problem as soon as possible. He jokingly added: "I am not pointing my remarks at any political party." Najib's remarks turned laughter from the floor.

He stressed: "If you have to resolve problems, go ahead and resolve them! The Malaysian Chinese community needs your leadership." Although Najib stressed that his remarks was not directed at any particular political party, all audience knew he was referring to the Malaysian Chinese Association's (MCA) party conflict.

MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, Vice President Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, vice president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, vice president Datuk Seri Kong Chok Han, and MCA Youth Chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong were all at this dinner event hosted by ACCCIM when Najib made the remark. It was a rare occasion for all MCA leaders of different political fractions to attend the same dinner function since the MCA leadership struggle for power began in 2009.