‘MALAYSIANS ABROAD MUST HELP US’
They should care about how Malaysia progresses, says Dr Mahathir
PRIME Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged Malaysians abroad to do their bit for their home country in terms of developing its economy.
He said they should not forget where they come from.
“To the Malaysians living abroad, maybe under better conditions, they must not forget that they are Malaysians.
“They made their first million in Malaysia and I think they should always care about how the country progresses,” he said during a meeting with the MalaysianThai Chamber of Commerce (MTCC) in Bangkok yesterday.
With him were Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, International Trade and Industries Minister Datuk Darell Leiking, MTCC honorary chairman Yeap Swee Chuan and MTCC chairman Dr Hwee Khim Boo.
Dr Mahathir said the RM1 trillion debt incurred by the previous government had put a strain on the country’s finances.
“We cannot pay back the loan because we don’t know where the money is. A lot of the money has actually disappeared and were used to finance their (past leaders’) luxurious way of life.
“So now, we have to find money to pay our debt because you know what happens when you don’t pay. Your interest goes up, you may even be declared bankrupt.
“But we are managing at the moment, and we need the contribution of all Malaysians to ensure that the government has enough funds to run the country and develop it and to pay off the debts,” he said.
On the the world economy, Dr Mahathir said Malaysia had to find a way to power through it.
“We, being a trading nation, need to have markets. If the market is unstable, then we will lose out.
“This trade war between the United States and China is not something that is good for us, but we have to accept that it is happening and we have to live through it to find solutions for ourselves,” he said.