Lies by the opposition are detrimental to the country - Rahman Dahlan

The action by the opposition, especially DAP, in spreading lies against the government, is not only detrimental to the country's leadership and image at the international level, but also to the lives of the rakyat, says Barisan Nasional (BN) Strategic Communications director Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

He said cries by the opposition that the government had sold the country to China, and then to Saudi Arabia, were clearly huge lies.

"Our (Malaysia's) dignity is high. So, do not be swayed by the words of the opposition because even (former prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, himself, introduced the Look East Policy.

"They (the opposition) say we are selling the country, but they forget that China is a rich country and can afford to invest billions of ringgit in this country," he said at a talk "Rakyat Negaraku Generasiku P. 150 Batu Pahat" at the Dataran Kompleks Niaga Senggarang here, last night.

Also present were MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Tee Yong, Johor MIC chairman Datuk M. Asojan, Johor MyPPP chairman Datuk Dr S.Sivakumar and Johor UMNO information chief Datuk Samsol Bari Jamali.

Abdul Rahman, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said the RM144 billion investment by China and the latest investment of RM31 billion by Saudi Arabia through Saudi Aramco in Pengerang was evidence that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was still respected by the international community.

He said the investment in Pengerang would generate a total of 8,000 jobs for youths in the country.

"This is actually an investment for the people of Johor who have been betrayed by the opposition, especially DAP and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

"This concerns the future of our children, but when they (the opposition) try to stop this investment, then, we will fight to the end," he said and described the opposition as playing dirty politics with intention to divide the people.

Abdul Rahman reaffirmed his stance that the National Security Council (NSC) should establish a law whereby those who undermined the country's economy must be punished accordingly.

He said the NSC should not only look at terrorists that could harm the country as threats, but also factions that issue harmful statements.

"The irony is we cannot believe the outright accusations by the opposition. We have to assume that those making allegations against the country's economy are enemies of the state," he said. --Bernama