MCA president Liow Tiong Lai slammed Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad today for creating unnecessary fear among Malaysians over Chinese investments.

This comes after Mahathir voiced his opposition towards China-related developments, such as Forest City, and vowed to cancel projects like the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) if it was found to be contrary to the country’s interests.

Liow emphasised that the relationship between Malaysia and China was not built on interest, but on genuine friendship.

Later, he flayed the opposition for attempting to wreck the bilateral relationship.

“It is heartwrenching to note that the harmonious relationship between Malaysia and China has become a target for political opportunists.

“Members of the opposition have constantly criticised and attempted to sabotage the relationship by stirring up ultra-nationalist feelings in order to satisfy their own political interests.

“Baseless accusations against MCA and that the Communist Party of China is conducting a Chinese takeover, colonising Malaysia, pawning off state lands as well as lies that Malaysians are not allowed into the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park are all attempts to create an atmosphere of fear,” Liow said.

Read more: Dr M: Harapan to review 'unbeneficial' foreign projects, may nix ECRL

Liow, who is also transport minister, was speaking at the launch of MCA's "One Belt One Road 2.0" initiative at the party’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

In 2013, Chinese president Xi Jinping initiated the “One Belt One Road” project to focus on developing connectivity and cooperation with Eurasian countries. Malaysia is an active participant in the project.

Present at the launch today were China’s ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian (above, left), MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong, vice-president Hou Kok Chong and various Chinese associations and federation leaders.

Liow continued to fire salvos against the opposition by naming Mahathir.

Read more: Standing outside MCKIP, Dr M snipes Najib over land sales to China

“It is unthinkable that Mahathir went to the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) and said the land belonged to China in front of its walls. He said we have sold off the land, Malaysians can't enter MCKIP and we have a ‘Qinzhou Road’.

“What he did not say is that MCKIP’s counterpart in China has a ‘Kuantan Road’. This is an important project, collaborated upon by both countries. Mahathir ‘spun’ the cooperation. We want the people to know his political tricks.

“They are going to sabotage the good relationship between both countries and China’s investments in Malaysia. I want to emphasise that we are working hard to build up the country. During election time, the opposition will create negative energy to sabotage the country.”

During his speech, the giant screen behind Liow also displayed a series of articles slamming Mahathir.

Later, Liow continued his crusade against Mahathir, questioning whether the Chinese worded roadsign was not allowed.

“Mahathir politicised MCKIP and shot a video, saying the industrial park used the Chinese word to install the Qinzhou Road road sign. He is playing the Malay sentiment by saying the Chinese word is not allowed to be the road sign.

“You know Mahathir. He is an expert on racism and is sabotaging China-Malaysia relationship. It is unfortunate.”