It's more important local Chinese are M'sians at heart, Najib tells Dr M
It is not important what kind of cutleries are used by the Malaysian Chinese, said former Prime Minister Najib Razak, responding to the chopstick analogy by his successor Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Speaking at the 2021 World Chinese Economic Forum held in Petaling Jaya today, Najib said what is more important is that the local Chinese are Malaysians at heart.
It is not important what kind of cutleries are used by the Malaysian Chinese, said former Prime Minister Najib Razak, responding to the chopstick analogy by his successor Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Speaking at the 2021 World Chinese Economic Forum held in Petaling Jaya today, Najib said what is more important is that the local Chinese are Malaysians at heart.
"It doesn't matter if Malaysian Chinese eat with chopsticks, fork and spoon, or use their hands, as long as in their hearts and minds, they are truly Malaysians.
"The Malaysian Chinese community has shown their entrepreneurial skill, tenacity, ability and grit to be successful in facing adverse challenges.
"In this regard, any post-pandemic recovery will count on their inherent strength to contribute to this process," the ex-premier said.
Two weeks ago, Mahathir used the example of the Chinese community continuing to eat with chopsticks to highlight the challenges in assimilating the non-Malay population in the country.
Mahathir had said there is still a tendency for communities here to identify with their country of origin, despite generations of being born and raised in Malaysia.
As a result, the Pejuang chairperson argued it had resulted in separation among the people.
Mahathir's view was widely criticised by political parties from both sides of the divide as well as civil society for being narrow and outdated thinking.
Meanwhile, on another development, Najib also urged the government to get its priorities right in managing the flood and relief efforts.
"Whatever I say might be tantamount to criticising the present government, but the most important thing is to make sure you get your priorities right and get the government machinery to act in a very coordinated fashion.
"(The government) must act with the utmost urgency immediately, even though it is 2am or 3am in the morning, you have to mobilise whatever assets you have.
"We do have assets available, we have them reserved in the storeroom. All these things can be utilised to help the flood victims," he told the media when asked about the government's performance on the flood relief efforts.
"It's not for me, but for the people to judge on their performance," he said.
"We all (must) learn from the experiences as they happened. I hope when the next flood happens, we will be more prepared to galvanise the government machinery to be effective.
"I always say that we must put the people first and in whatever the situation, the interest of the people must come first," he said.
All levels of government and related government agencies came under fire for being late to respond to the severe floods in seven states and Kuala Lumpur caused by torrential rain since Dec 18.
The flood has claimed 46 lives as of Dec 25.
On Dec 24, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob ordered ministers and deputy ministers who were on holiday overseas to cancel their leave and return home.
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