[ Laman Ehwal Semasa ReformIS ]
Date: 02 Sep 1999
Time: 23:38:15
Remote User: -
Minister cautions against requests for a Chinese DPM
He also advises against calling for a Chinese university
SEREMBAN -- Deputy Finance Minister Wong See Wah has cautioned the Chinese community on its call for the appointment of a Chinese second deputy prime minister and the setting up of a Chinese university.
He said that such a request would only make things difficult for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and arouse the displeasure of the Malays.
The Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau quoted him as saying that the Chinese in Malaysia now enjoyed a favourable environment for development.
Approval had been given for the establishment of the Southern College, the New Era College and Tunku Abdul Rahman College, he noted.
Malaysia also has 10 universities which can take in more Chinese students, he said, adding that there was therefore no need to build more universities.
As for the problem of a falling Chinese population, he felt that the quality of the community should be raised through education. The talented ones among them will then be able to occupy a place in society, he said.
Speaking at a function on Tuesday, he said that there had been talk that there was a split within the Malay community and that many Malays were no longer supportive of Dr Mahathir.
Hence, Datuk Wong urged, Chinese Malaysians should take the opportunity to render greater support to Dr Mahathir so that he could extend his term as Prime Minister. This was the sound strategy to take, he said.
During the 1995 general election, the majority of Chinese in Malaysia had voted for the Prime Minister and the National Front, he noted.
That was why in his speeches, Dr Mahathir often expressed his gratitude for the support of the Chinese community, a move which has helped maintain Malaysian stability and unity, he added.