Claim that we are selling out to China is stupid, says Najib (Update)

KUALA LUMPUR: Accusations that the government is selling the country’s sovereignty to China through various development projects as claimed by the opposition are pathetic, stupid and illogical, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said.
In a strongly worded speech aimed at the opposition coalition, Najib said the people of Malaysia were not that stupid to fall for such lies orchestrated to defame the ruling coalition.
“They (the opposition) threatened to change everything (when they win), saying that we have sold away our sovereignty. What sovereignty? ‘Kepala bapak kau’ (your father’s head)!” he said.
“Sorry that I have to use such harsh language but it is illogical. Where is the loss of sovereignty? Do you think we are stupid? We are not stupid. You are,” he told thousands of delegates at the opening of the 64th MCA Annual General Assembly at Wisma MCA today.
Also present were MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and other party central leadership.
Najib’s remarks were aimed at allegations raised by the opposition over China’s investments in several mega projects in Malaysia, such as the Forest City in Johor and Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) in Pahang.
The opposition had on many occasions alleged that the government was slowly selling off Malaysia’s land to China via major investments made by the global superpower.
Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had recently alleged that MCKIP had been handed to foreigners as the contractors and workers were not from Malaysia. Najib dismissed such allegations, labelling them as baseless and ignorant.
He also took a jibe at Mahathir, stating that the former statesman was the source of all problems in the country.
He listed out several controversies that had been caused by Mahathir throughout his 22 years leading the country, such as the Ops Lalang and the constitutional crisis.
He said several opposition leaders, including DAP’s Lim Kit Siang, had been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) under the Ops Lalang dragnet during Mahathir’s era.
Najib added the Chinese community must throw its support behind Barisan Nasional (BN) or risk having weak representation in the next government.
Najib, who is also the BN chairman, said his government had allocated three ministerial positions to MCA despite its poor performance in the previous general election.
“Do you want a strong Chinese representation in the next government or a weak one? The choice is yours. Tell the Chinese community that DAP cannot form the government,” he said.
Najib said he could feel a different atmosphere at this year’s MCA gathering, stating that it was more spirited, united and prepared.
“I do not know why MCA is more spirited. But I believe it is because there is a sense of optimism about our future,” he said.