Two emcees working at the launch of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) have refuted claims that they were Chinese nationals and that the event did not reflect the essence of a Malaysian setting. 

In an interview with Malaysiakini, emcee Juin Teh stressed that she and the other emcee are both Malaysians.

"Anyone who attended the launching event would appreciate that it was a Malaysian event, full of Malaysian characteristics.

"While welcoming the prime minister as he entered the hall, there was the Malay traditional bunga mangga welcoming ceremony, then there was the playing of Malay traditional drums, the kompang.

"The national anthem was sung followed by the Pahang state anthem and the opening show was done by the Muhibah Drum team.

"There was also a bacaan doa (prayer) and at least two Malaysian flags were seen on the stage," said Teh.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak launched the ECRL in Kuantan on Wednesday.

Following this, Malay rights pressure group Perkasa complained that the event was "too Chinese", citing how there were many Chinese banners and that the emcees were likely also brought in from China.

Malaysia's uniqueness

Teh (photo, second from left) who works in Kuala Lumpur with the ON FM online radio station, explained that the male emcee was, in fact, ethnic Malay and a local too.

"The Malay male emcee will speak in Bahasa Malaysia first and provide an English translation later. My job is to translate everything to Mandarin.

"We have two emcees, but Perkasa did not mention that and instead just alleged that the emcee was speaking in Mandarin and brought in from China.

"In fact, I think 70 percent of all activities were in Malay and English while Chinese language usage was limited. However, Perkasa only mentioned some of the facts and did not illustrate the overall situation," she said.

Teh said critics should look at the event positively and appreciate how Malaysia's uniqueness made it attractive to foreign investors.

"Malaysia have a lot of talented people, we have language advantages which is one of the reasons why foreign investment is willing to come to Malaysia," said Juin Teh.

The ECRL is the Najib administration's most ambitious and expensive public infrastructure project yet. It will be built by a Chinese government-owned company and funded by a RM55 billion loan from a Chinese government-owned bank.