‘Crazy and insane’ to cancel cooperation with China, says Najib

JOHOR — Calling off Malaysian development projects awarded to China will be “a crazy and insane” move, said Prime Minister Najib Razak on Tuesday (April 1).

“Just imagine what will happen if we jeopardise our relations with China,” he said.

“If China refuses to buy our palm oil, furniture and timber, who else is going to buy them? If China does not buy, the Opposition leaders will lose nothing, the people will stand to lose.”

Mr Najib was responding to a suggestion by the Pakatan Harapan opposition coalition that it would cancel the proposed East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) if it wins the upcoming general election.

China will build and provide financing for the ECRL, a RM55 billion (S$18.6 billion) rail project spanning four states. The deal for the 600km railway line connecting Klang Valley to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia was announced during a visit to China by Mr Najib in 2016.

“The Opposition is in a chaotic state. As such, choose a government that champions the plight of the people, that helps the people,” he said during a day-long visit to Johor, where he launched the Muar Furniture Park.

“The move to cancel all our cooperation with China is a crazy and insane move,” he added.

“ Just because of politics, they want to do something irrational which would only affect the people. However, the existing government will continue to fight for the everybody, including the people here in Muar.”

Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said on Monday that he would cancel the ECRL project if the opposition won GE14 because it regarded the project as not feasible.

“A train from Kota Baru to Port Klang would take around 14 hours of travel time. A low-cost flight from Kota Baru to Kuala Lumpur takes just 30 minutes,” he said. “Which is more feasible?”

Mr Najib had previously described the ECRL as a game-changer to boost the country’s economy, adding that it will greatly benefit those living in the rural areas in the east coast states.

He has also consistently refuted the opposition’s claims that Malaysia was selling its sovereignty to China, saying that this was “scaremongering” for political gain.

On Sunday, he warned that there will be consequences felt by the Malaysian economy if Pakatan Harapan takes over and cancels contracts signed between Malaysia and China.

“Imagine if we sour our ties with China, they don’t buy our products, they don’t buy our palm oil, imagine what will happen to our economy,” he said.

“It’s a totally irresponsible thing to do, they did not think of the interest and welfare of the rakyat, they are playing politics for their personal agenda.”

On Tuesday, Mr Najib reiterated that China was Malaysia’s biggest trading partner with trade valued at over RM100 billion (S$33.88 billion) annually and that exports of timber and timber products to China in 2016 reached RM846.8 million.

“The export figures show a rise of 3.7 per cent from the previous year. Furniture remains the main export to China at RM121.7 million, rising by 91 per cent from the previous year,” he said.

Speaking later on Tuesday at another event in Segamat, Johor, Mr Najib said that the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition must counter the opposition’s lies in the run up to the 14th General Election in the interest of the people.

Among the lies by the opposition was the statement by Dr Mahathir claiming that the government had awarded citizenship to Chinese nationals who bought properties at the Forest City in Johor, and that the Kedah state government had sold three islands to China, said Mr Najib.

“I strongly deny (about the citizenship), not true. Please come out with evidence... No, they (the opposition) don’t have any. They cannot show the proof,” he said.

“If you want to play politics go ahead, It is okay to criticise but don’t cheat the people,’ he added.

“That is why we must go all out to expose their lies. Certainly we are not going to fall for their lies. We must stand behind the team that will take us to a brighter future which is none other than BN.” AGENCIES