MCA AGM Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today promised to heed MCA’s call to increase the number of Chinese schools in the country and also help in the relocation of present Chinese schools.

In his speech at the officiation ceremony of MCA’s 63rd annual general meeting today, Najib said he had done so in the past as education minister and will continue to do so.

“Don’t worry. I will work with MCA to increase the number of Chinese schools. If you don’t believe me, ask (MCA veteran) Lim Ah Lek.

“When I was education minister, we resolved a lot of issues regarding relocation and building of (new) Chinese schools. Lim Ah Lek only speaks the truth. Ask him,” said Najib.

He was responding to MCA president Liow Tiong Lai who in his speech urged Najib to earmark more land for new Chinese schools and help in the relocation of Chinese schools with low enrollment to other areas.

Liow also asked Najib to modify the existing entry requirements for public universities and accept applicants holding the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

UEC is a standard exam for Malaysian private Chinese schools. It is accepted by top universities across the world, but not by public universities in Malaysia.

I help you, you help me reprise

Najib said Umno and MCA were old friends capable of negotiating on any issue.

“No problem. Sometimes there are problems in implementation because of the ‘Little Napoleons’ who block here and there. I’m not denying it. There are (such issues).

“But we will push through for the Chinese community,” said Najib.

Najib said he had done many things to help the Chinese community, citing how he had allocated more money under Budget 2017 for Kojadi - MCA’s education and business loan scheme - and more incentives for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to thrive.

He hoped that the Chinese community would reciprocate in the coming general election.

“You cannot ask the government for what you want, but come election time you support DAP. I can help the Chinese community, but the Chinese community must respond positively,” he said.

Najib said there appeared to be some shift in support for BN within the Chinese community, citing the Sarawak election and recent by-elections as examples.

He said Chinese support for BN was crucial because the Chinese, as the second largest ethnic group in Malaysia, must not be under-represented in government.

“We are now waiting for the next election. We want support (from all communities) because our country is based on participation of leaders representing all communities at the highest level,” he said.