The nation has transformed for the better under present leadership

On May 26, 2012, in Community Highlights, In The News

MALAYSIA, under the rule of the Barisan Nasional government in the last 54 years, has undergone many drastic transformations that have changed its entire landscape.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said Malaysia had been transformed from an agriculture-based economy to a country that was driven by manufacturing, exports and trade.

“The country’s annual per capita income has reached RM29,000 as compared to RM700 during the time of its independence,” he said, adding that the poverty rate had also dropped from 50% to 3.5%.

In appreciation: Ramu shaking hands with Dr Chua after presenting him a flower garland.

He added that with improvements in the people’s quality of life, the average lifespan of Malaysians had increased from 56 years in the early years of Merdeka to over 70 now.

“This is not boasting but a fact acknowledged by the World Health Organisation,” Dr Chua said.

He was speaking to a large crowd at the 1Malaysia Bersama Rakyat dinner organised by the Persatuan Kemajuan dan Perpaduan Rakyat Perak (PADU) in Malim Nawar, Kampar, last week.

Nice to meet you: Lee (left) shaking hands with Malim Nawar resident Cynthia Ann Ramachindira (right), 36.

Dr Chua said under Barisan, many from the Indian community were able to pursue their tertiary education in universities and have become professionals such as lawyers and engineers.

“Barisan is not perfect but we have proven to the rakyat that the coalition has achieved various successes since Malaysia gained independence.

“Barisan uses its power to safeguard the welfare of the rakyat, not play up racial politics like certain quarters,” he said.