No turning back if Pakatan ruins Malaysia, warns PM Hj Najib

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today warned that if Pakatan Rakyat fails to deliver as the federal government, the people may not have a chance to vote them out as the inexperienced coalition may have wrecked the country.

"Can we take the risk? Should we pawn our future? Some people say nevermind, if they (Pakatan) don't do right, we will change back (to BN) in five years time.

"But don't talk about five years time, in one year the country can de destroyed and go on a downward slide. In a globalised world, the economy can be paralysed and stock market can crash," he said during the opening of the 59th MCA General Assembly Meeting (AGM) this morning.

Putting the apocalyptic scenario in perspective, Najib drew example from the 1997 financial crisis, which he blamed on then finance minister and present opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (left, in photo).

"Who was the finance minister then? Who wanted to hand our sovereignty to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)?" queried Najib to which the crowd yelled back, "Anwar".

"It was (former premier) Dr Mahathir Mohammad who saved the country. We said no to IMF, we said let's do it our own way, this is BN.

"Had we allowed it to happen, half of the taikors (big brothers) in this hall would probably be wearing rubber slippers now or even having to go barefoot, " he said.

As such, he urged MCA to remind the people to choose a government with track record and experience.

Taking a page out of MCA's attack line against its arch rival DAP, Najib reiterated that DAP should prove its multiracial credentials by contesting in a Malay-majority seat.

"If they are really multiracial, I dare them to contest in a Malay-majority constituency... The Malays have had enough of DAP, all rubbish," he said.

Fair treatment for Chinese Malaysians

Najib also sought to touch base with the Chinese community, explaining that he understood their concerns, which he categorised into four, namely: economy, policy fairness, good governance and education.

"I am angry at the opposition, Why am I angry? Not because they want my job but they have no agenda to bring this country to greater heights," he said, adding that he had received information from certain fund managers that they were "horrified" at Pakatan Rakyat's alternative budget.

In contrast, he said BN already has a clear direction for the country's economy and has a produced a budget that is people-friendly and fiscally responsible.

Najib also assured that the Chinese Malaysian community would be treated fairly and Chinese schools will be safeguarded.

"Where (are) the Chinese education groups in Singapore? Where? Gone with the wind. Bo liao! (meaning no more in Hokkien).

"But here in Malaysia they are very much alive - Sometimes helpful, sometimes not so helpful. But whenever they are helpful, we go with them," he said.

Taking the example of the recently approved Chung Hwa independent school, Najib said the government achieved a compromise by allowing its students to take the United Examination Certificate (UEC) but with SPM, to allow space for Chinese education but yet remain consistent with the national policy.

The premier also acknowledged MCA's request for funding to SMJK schools, announcing an allocation of RM30 million.

Noting that MCA had broken its decade-long convention of white uniform to don BN's blue (right), the premier said its members must also be in “one heart" when facing the next general election.

"I will give assurance, Umno will stand with MCA. And I know that MCA will stand with Umno. You must also stand with Gerakan, MIC and others, don't quarrel.

"We want to win, and we want to win big," he said.