Pccc Denies Penang Chinese Community Welcomes Najib S Visit

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Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) president Hong Yeam Wah has rejected the notion that the Chinese community welcomed former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s visit to the state.
This was after Federation of Malaysia Zhang Clan Association president Anthony Chang said at an event yesterday that he received Najib with open arms on behalf of the Chinese community in Penang.
Hong said the PCCC could not possibly invite Najib, who has been convicted for corruption, to Penang. This is because businesspeople value integrity above all else.
“How could he (Chang) represent us? PCCC has a history of over a hundred years, and more than 10,000 members covering all industries in Penang.
“Almost all business people here are our members, (they are) not his members,” Hong told Malaysiakini when contacted.
“We will not invite or welcome Najib to our events, or welcome him to Penang.
“You (Najib) have committed a crime and you came here to do a somewhat political event. We have always stressed that leaders should not be corrupt,” he stressed.
Najib was sentenced to 12 years jail for corruption in 2020 and is currently appealing against the conviction.
Meanwhile, Hong declined to comment on other Penang Chinese community leaders who were at Najib’s event yesterday.
“That was their business. For PCCC, we would not have invited him (Najib) to come. Businesspeople always emphasise that leaders should have integrity and are free of corruption," Hong reiterated.
Najib has embarked on a tour in Penang yesterday to canvass support from the local Chinese community.
After delivering a speech at the Second Penang International Business and Investment Summit, he had a dialogue session with a number of Penang Chinese association leaders.
‘Good old days’
During the dialogue session, Chang claimed the Chinese community missed the “good old days” under the Pekan MP's leadership where Malaysia made significant economic progress.
He also praised Najib for taking a moderate approach in running the country, including respecting the diversity of various religious and cultural groups.
Chang's relationship with the Pakatan Harapan-led Penang government had turned sour during Lim Guan Eng's term as chief minister following disputes over allocations for Chinese New Year celebrations and ownership of a heritage property at Love Lane in George Town.
When Chang was the PCCC president during the 14th general election in 2018, he campaigned for Gerakan candidates in Penang.
On the other hand, Hong had openly sided with Lim. When Lim was charged for corruption in August 2020 involving the Penang undersea tunnel project, Hong was present at the Sessions Court in Butterworth in his personal capacity to show support.
Both Najib and Lim had denied the corruption charges against them and have claimed political persecution. - Mkini

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