Malaysia and Asean should build an integrated railway system direct to China - Ong

Malaysia and other ASEAN member countries should build an integrated railway system directly to China in order to shorten the export and import trading journey.

Second Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said the import or export of goods can be shortened to less than 16 days by train compared to 40 to 50 days by maritime shipping transport.

"China is Malaysia's biggest trading partner, we achieve US$100 billion trading volume in China since 2013. At present, for 50 countries including United States and European countries, China is their biggest trading partner.

"So, I think Malaysia and ASEAN have to build a railway system and connect into the main corridor between China and Europe. One (railway) goes to China and one goes to Europe," he said in a press conference at Wisma MCA, here, Friday.

He said currently several countries like Iran and Spain built their railway system directly to China.

On another matter, Ong said the 'Yellow Shirt' and 'Red Shirt' groups should stop their 'emotional' and 'unproductive' activities to avoid misconception and bad perception about Malaysia.

"Our trading is doing very well. On the import and export trade last year, we achieved RM1.46 trillion. We export 780 billion of goods. Until last September, we achieved RM1.07 trillion of trade and it can reach RM1.50 trillion at the end of this year.

"We are doing very well, but we cannot take things for granted. If we still carry on doing emotional things, doing all unproductive things, the investors will be looking at the situation and they (may) pull out, in the end the whole country will suffer."

Ong said the Barisan Nasional mechanism is to help people rather than to create chaos and anybody including the 'Red shirt' group should not follow the steps of the Opposition where they always capitalise on issues including the cooking oil and the Selangor water shortage.

"Like the water shortage (Selangor), both the state government and the federal government should sit together and settle it, rather than protesting." --BERNAMA