MCA interaction session with Chinese guilds to deliberate on issues affecting the Chinese community

MCA HQ, 22 June-About 150 persons from the Chinese guilds and associations participated in an interaction session MCA’s Central Committee members this morning whereby their feedback were sought on several pertinent issues affecting the Chinese community, of which, the party gives a commitment to discuss and resolve accordingly.

‘’MCA is glad that more Chinese guilds and associations have promised to participate in the 60^th Merdeka celebration this year, which in the past received lukewarm response from the Chinese community,” conveyed party President Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai in expressing his delight at the encouraging turnout anticipated for celebrations for the 60^th independence day for Malaysia.

“In conjunction with the Merdeka celebration, MCA will also be organising a series of activities for the whole of August and September. The 2ndd Blossom Arts Festival Malaysia and some events related to Wanita MCA are among those activities planned,’’ added Tiong Lai when chairing a press conference held at the Mezzanine Floor of the party’s Headquarters upon the conclusion of the dialogue session.

On MCA’s meeting with the Chinese guilds and association, Tiong Lai revealed that ‘’MCA received strong support for the Belt and Road initiative (OBOR), where the Chinese guilds see MCA as a platform to leverage on the business opportunities provided by the initiative.’’ Besides this, the dialogue session also discussed on ways to promote the setting up of the Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) with Alibaba Group, especially in bridging the youth organisations and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) with government agencies including the National Logistics Task Force and Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) in making this programme a success.

Teacher shortage solved

In addition, the Chinese guilds and associations also acknowledged MCA’s efforts in resolving the shortage of teachers in Chinese schools. In maintaining the continuity of Chinese education in Malaysia, Tiong Lai promised to ‘‘establish a complete system of Chinese education through comprehensive educational programmes, so that its future prospect is guaranteed where its importance is further reinforced with inclusion in future national development plans.’’

Threats of money scams in Malaysia

Money scam is a serious fraud that cannot be ignored. The proliferation of money scam activities in the country is alarming and requires urgent intervention. Thus Tiong Lai urges ‘‘Malaysians must stay vigilant against any illegal financial frauds and not participate in them at any given chance. We do not want news like these to affect investors’ sentiments towards our country.”

“Any member of the public with doubts on Belt and Road initiative should consult the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia or MCA Belt and Road Centre (MBRACE) at MCA Headquaters,’’ advised the party chief before explaining on news of certain money scam companies using the name of Belt and Road initiative to con its investors.

Budget 2018 & preparations for general election

On Budget 2018, Tiong Lai who is also the Minister of Transport disclosed that “quite a number of good suggestions such as income tax exemption were compiled and presented to the Ministry of Finance for consideration.” As Budget 2018 is expected to be tabled on 29 October this year, Tiong Lai pointed out that “The timing of Budget 2018 being presented has nothing to do with the general elections. It is done annually in the same manner, whereby feedback is sought and presented to the Ministry of Finance for consideration.”

“However, we are well prepared for the general elections regardless of when it is held,’’ stressed Tiong Lai when responding to a journalist’s question of the possibility of the general elections being held next year, after knowing that Budget 2018 will be tabled in October.

Also present at the press conference was MCA Vice President cum Deputy Minister of Finance Dato’ Lee Chee Leong.

-MCA Online-