MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Chinese community had high hopes of seeing Malaysia develop more rapidly and continue to prosper.

He said like the other communities, the Chinese want political stability and safety in the country to be assured as well as an effective and efficient government administrative system so that Malaysia can continue to develop in the future.

"After the last general election, some people asked - what more do the Chinese want?

"The Chinese community works hard and has contributed like all races to ensure the country is stable and progressive, so they must be respected, recognised and appreciated because they too are patriotic to the nation," he said at a patriotic gathering of the Chinese community held at the Putra World Trade Centre Saturday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, MCA Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong as well as other leaders of the Chinese community were among the 16,000 people who attended the gathering organised by the MCA.

Liow, who is also Transport Minister said the Chinese community never asked for anything more than what was right, but their feelings should also be considered.

"They never questioned when the government helped the bumiputera community and other poor communities, but also helped the poor Chinese," he said.

-- BERNAMA