Media statement by Dr. Hiew King Cheu in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday, 10^th April 2012:

Najib wants Malaysian Chinese support

The Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak until today still did not understand the feelings of the Chinese communities in Malaysia towards the government.

He said in an interview with the NTV 7 on Monday that the government will continue to get close to the Chinese community, to understand their needs and apply a fair governance system in order to gain the Chinese support.

Najib again emphasized that the government cares about the well being of the Chinese community which covers the issues on the Chinese primary schools, to recognize the Unified Chinese Middle school certificates. He also urges the Chinese not to be "by-standers" but to get involve with the transformation programs set down by the government.

I felt very disappointed with the words from the Prime Minister Najib. It is a clear indication from what he said and that he has also indirectly told the Malaysian that the BN government has not been fair and equal to all races.

He mentioned that in his three years as Prime Minister he has been getting close to the Chinese community to learn about their problems, but very unfortunately there wasn't any sign of betterment as far as the Chinese is concerned. It is not only him but many past PM did not border too. The Chinese community did not see a fair governance and treatment for 55 years.

They are not asking a lot and something extraordinary, in fact Najib has mentioned it all in his interview. The two issues on Chinese education are the simple demand requested and it is righteous to get it.

The Chinese primary school faced multiple problems which reflects the unfair treatment rendered by the government. This can be demonstrated by the various issues arising from school land, teachers, fundings, and many other pressing aspects.

The Chinese Middle schools were never taken care off and assisted fully by the government, and frequently has to make ends meet with the help from students, parents, teachers, and kind sponsors from thr Chinese community. Sadly until today their Unified certificates which holds a high standard are still not recognized by the government. There are many people in Malaysia who held the certificate did not get the right jobs and positions.

Further more, it is a serious race barrier in the civil service where the Chinese civil servants do not get fair promotion.

The construction sector where government contracts have been classified only for "Bumiputra Only" has deprived many Chinese contractors for not being able to obtain jobs to earn money to feed their family. The Chinese contractors normally became the sub sub contractors until today.

Besides, the Chinese are known to be the high tax payers who have contributed to a large portion of the national income. This has been mentioned repeatedly and even recognized by some past Prime Minister. The Chinese has done their part in the nation building, and they remains hard working, and kept silent all these while. Now Najib felt that the Chinese are swinging away and not supporting the BN any more, therefore he feels that before the coming election he must do something to regain their support by doing some drastic action to batch the big gaps. This has demonstrated the BN's ill intention and their untrue attitude towards the Chinese in the country.

The fact is, will the Chinese be so kind to accept and support the BN for something they did not get through the past many years? They are not asking too much, but only wish to receive fair treatment from the government. They will decide with their votes during the coming election for sure.

* Dr Hiew King Cheu, MP for Kota Kinabalu