Najib goes pedalling for ‘votes’

The prime minister joins 20,000 cyclists for a charity ride but clearly he is wooing the Chinese community.

GEORGE TOWN: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today took part in a charity bicycle ride despite undergoing a knee injury a month ago.

Accompanied by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Koh Tsu Koon, he and some 20,000 other cyclists pedalled for some 7km before returning to Straits Quay while the participants continued with their 17km-journey.

It may be a charity event but political observers did not miss the underlying message: it was all part of Najib’s charm campaign to woo back the Chinese community.

Earlier, Najib, the Barisan Nasional chairman, hailed the ethnic Malaysian Chinese community for its commitment to education.

He commended the Chinese for their determination and dedication to always improve the education standards and opportunities for their children, and efforts to raising funds for Chinese schools.

He was addressing a large crowd when launching the 1Malaysia Charity Ride For Education at Tanjung Tokong’s Penang Straits Quay here today.

Clearly, Najib is wooing the all-important Chinese votes for the next general election.

Some 70 to 80 percent of the ethnic Chinese, especially in Penang, are believed to be favouring Pakatan Rakyat over BN in the next general election.

Best start in life

Some 65 percent of registered voters in Penang are Chinese.

Local Chinese laymen claimed that the majority of the Chinese have more or less made up their minds on whom to vote for in the next polls.

But political analysts predicted that a swing of 20 percent of the Chinese votes to the BN could immeasurably help the coalition win many urban seats, especially in Penang.

His presence no doubt had helped the cycling event organiser – the state’s leading Chinese daily, Kwong Wah Yit Poh – to raise RM15 million for Chinese schools, to be shared equally among 15 schools, including five private institutions.

Najib later distributed the cheques to representatives from each school.

Also present were Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen, Kwong Wah Yit Poh chairman Ong Gim Huat, and state executive councillors.

Pointing out that the Chinese community was known for industriousness, hard work and thriftiness, he said it was time to add selflessness and dedication to learning.

“From pre-schools to schools, through to colleges and universities, we share your ambition that young Malaysians of all backgrounds should get the best start in life by studying and working hard,” he told the largely Chinese audience.

‘Fair to all Malaysians’

Najib reminded the Chinese community he was the only education minister who was bold enough to amend Section 21(2) of the Education Act to remove the power of the education minister to convert national-type schools to national schools.

“I did it when those before me did not,” he said, firing a broadside at Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was among Najib’s predecessor as education minister.

Najib assured that in future, schools would be judged on how well they educate their pupils, and not the structures that govern the schools.

He also said governing all Malaysians was never an easy task.

“It means listening to all Malaysians. It means making the right decisions for the future of the country.”

“I am always been fair to all Malaysians,” he added.

Chinese schools nationwide have some 56,000 Bumiputeras out of 612,000 students.

Najib said more Malays were now speaking Mandarin, including his son, which formed part of the transforming Malaysia to give the country a competitive edge as China consolidates its economic power.

He said the relationship with China would continue to change for the better, adding that all Malaysians should be proud of developing and strengthening ties with the giant neighbour.

Stressing that part of Malaysia’s future prosperity will be built upon ties with China, he said the country needed more Malaysians, from all backgrounds and heritage, to win businesses from China.

“Therefore, we need more Mandarin speakers to help us explore new frontiers in our dealings with China as a global economic superpower,” he said.

He said he shared the views of the ethnic Chinese community to have maximum opportunities to get access to university education.

“I believed that every Malaysian with talents and skills should be able to gain university education,” he said.