‘Merdeka video not meant to offend anyone’

KUALA LUMPUR: The Merdeka Day video Citizens was intended to solicit the people’s support for the government to make Malaysia a strong nation, said MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Liow, who played the lead character in the video, said Citizens was certainly never meant to offend anyone.

He was responding to claims by opposition leaders that the video had tarnished the image of the Chinese community as it portrayed them as people who do not love or support the country.

He gave an assurance that the government truly understands the feelings of the people and is trying its best to rectify weaknesses.

“Overall, it is still a positive video with good vibes because whatever is reflected in it shows the strength of the country,” Liow said after officiating at the second China-Malaysia Port Alliance Annual Meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday.

In his speech, Liow revealed that five new ports in Malaysia and China would be part of the China-Malaysia Port Alliance.

The five ports comprise three in Malaysia – Kemaman, Sabah and Kuching – while the other two are in Qingdao and Tianjin in China.

He said the formation of the Port Alliance between the two nations is intended to facilitate cooperation in various areas that include port studies, training and apprenticeship, technical assistance, exchange of information and traffic development, as well as the promotion of trade services between ports.

“China has the best ports in the world and this will pave the way for a brighter future for both countries in leveraging on the people’s potential and resources.”