In the spirit of the Year of the Rooster, MCA president Liow Tiong Lai urged Malaysians to emulate the animal, which crows at the break of dawn.

Recalling his younger days, Liow said roosters would wake him up in the morning from his slumber.

In this modern age, everyone should therefore have the spirit to wake up early and to work hard, he added.

“I think we should emulate the spirit of the rooster which crows early in the morning and we should also increase our productivity.

“As a country heading towards transformation, we must be very productive,” Liow told reporters at the Chinese New Year open house organised by MCA at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Liow, meanwhile, also expressed hope that the new year will bring more prosperity to the people.

“What’s important is for us to continue working hard in facing the challenges this year,” he said.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who had graced the event, also hoped that the new year will bring prosperity to the country.

“And to all Malaysians so that we continue to live in peace and harmony and that we would continue working towards forging national unity,” he told reporters shortly before leaving the event.

With the year of the rooster, Najib wished that the country’s economy would improve and also promised that the government will increase efforts in protecting the rakyat from harm.

The premier, in his Chinese New Year greeting on Thursday, emphasised the need to strengthen racial ties among Malaysians during the festive period.

“During this time of celebration, it is an opportunity for all of us, not just the Chinese, to strengthen our ties as Malaysians.”