Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron has refuted claims that China is trying to colonise the state amid major investments from the country.

Idris said if that was China's purpose, Malacca would have been colonised long ago due to the relationship between the two regions.

"If there are accusations such as those claiming that investors from China want to colonise Malacca, tell them that if China wanted to colonise Malacca, they would have done it 600 years ago.

"Admiral Cheng Ho came with more than 1,000 ships and 120,000 soldiers. He even protected Malacca against attacks from Siam and Majapahit," he said during the Malacca BN Chinese New Year open house in Alor Gajah last night...