Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that, without the contribution of Chinese Malaysians, the country would not have been what it is today.

"I know the Malays may not want to hear this, but the Chinese have contributed tremendously to the growth of the nation. The dynamism in Malaysia is largely due to the Chinese. They are hardworking, skillful and diligent people," he said today.

He noted that it was because of Chinese businesses that the nation did not suffer as badly as other nations during the East Asian financial crisis in 1997, particularly when external forces were attempting to "impoverish" the nation with the devaluation of the currency.

Mahathir was speaking at the launch of 'The Chinese Malaysian Contribution', a book recounting this community's role in the development of Malaysia.

"This (the book) is a good initiative. We must always record history... otherwise later on, people will have to (conduct) research and it might not be very accurate. I have read parts of the book myself, and I do hope Malaysians too will read it," Mahathir said.

Three former journalists - Tan Teong Jin, Ho Wah Foon and Tan Joo Lan - wrote the book with sponsorship from Chinese community leader and business person Ngan Ching Wen.

Among those who attended the ceremony in Kuala Lumpur were prominent members of the community including Jobstreet founder, Mark Chang, who received a copy of the book from Mahathir.

Why Mahathir

Ngan, the former head of the Malaysian Chinese Election Appeals Committee (Suqiu) said there is a need to write about the contributions of ethnic Chinese to Malaysia in simple and readable English.

"The book does not feature big corporate players as much has already been written about them. Small- and medium-sized companies ought to be highlighted as they too have contributed significantly to the progress and economic development of Malaysia."

He stressed that the book is not intended to promote Chinese chauvinism, and hoped that other businessmen would sponsor similar books that highlight the contributions of the Malay, Indian and other communities.

Asked why Mahathir had been invited to launch the book, Ngan said this was because he is no longer involved in politics and would therefore be able to give his candid views on the book.

"He (Mahathir) has no political agenda. Since he was PM for 22 years, he knows the background of the country very well. Tun was the engineer and architect of the rapid development of the country over the last two decades," Ngan said.

Asked to comment on Mahathir's previous characterisation of Suqiu as a "communist" and "extremist" movement, he said the ex-premier was on a different platform now.

"It depends how you look at it. Different people have different points of view at different times. We sent him the contents of the book a few months ago, and he gave his approval."

Upon being asked the same question at a press conference later, Mahathir began his reply with a chuckle.

"Where I disagree, I disagree. Where I agree, I agree. We are talking about the Chinese contribution to the country and I agree on that.

"I will disagree with you if there is something I don't like, but we can't disagree with everything, can we?" he asked cryptically before going on to respond to other issues .