Anti-China sentiments not good for M’sia and Asean, say Chinese NGOs
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian Chinese non-governmental organisation (NGO) leaders have debunked allegations by certain parties that China has monopolised the Malaysian economy.
According to Federation of Hokkien Association of Malaysia president, Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng 70 percent of building materials and manpower involved in the East Cost Rail Link (ECRL) project, developed by China’s state-owned China Communications Construction Company Limited, were from Malaysia.
“Some say that China has sent their people to come and work for this project. This is not true.
“Our people are working (in the project), over 70 per cent of the workers are locals. They only send their technical experts here,” he said after a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at Seri Perdana, here yesterday.
Also present were the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah, United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) chairman Datuk Vincent Lau Lee Ming and China-ASEAN Business Association president Tan Sri Lim Gait Tong.
Tee who is also Bina Puri Holdings Bhd managing director said, the issue was among matters discussed with the Prime Minister during the luncheon which lasted about one hour.
Meanwhile, Lim said China’s investment in Malaysia would perpetuate an economic domino effect.
“There is fresh money coming from outside (China). When they open up companies they will need local auditors, lawyers... all these will spur economic growth and increase employment,” he said.
He added that China’s effort to broaden and widen the historic Silk Road under the One Belt One Road initiative would create a new momentum for trade and investment across Asia, Africa and the European region.
As such Lim said, the anti-China sentiments were not at all good for Malaysia and Asean, and such stance by a group of politicians and racists, could be harmful for the continuing good relations between China and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Pheng said a group of 20 Chinese NGOs who were also at the event agreed with Najib’s view that it was important to continue the good relations between China and Malaysia.
“The Chinese community welcome the arrival of investors from China as they will help accelerate infrastructure and economic development in the country,” he said.
Pheng also emphasised that in a multi-racial society, it was important to have strong Chinese representation in the government. - Bernama