PETALING JAYA: Being a Malaysian at heart is more important than the cutlery local Chinese use for eating, says former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"It doesn’t matter if Malaysian Chinese eat with chopsticks, fork and spoon, or use their hands, as long as in their hearts and minds, they are truly Malaysians," he said in his speech at the 2021 World Chinese Economic Forum here Monday (Dec 27).

His statement came in the wake of controversy triggered by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's controversial statement that Chinese had not assimilated with other Malaysians as they still continued to use chopsticks to eat.

Najib said the Malaysian Chinese community had shown entrepreneurial skill, tenacity, ability and grit to be successful in facing adversity.

"In this regard, any post-(Covid-19) pandemic recovery will count on their (Chinese) inherent strength to contribute to the recovery," he said.

Najib hoped cooperation between China and Malaysia would be broadened for common interests and benefits.

"I hope China and Malaysia, along with all other countries, could hold high the torch of multilateralism, banish the dark clouds of unilateralism and, ultimately, usher in a clear sky of common development, peace and stability for the world and all of humanity," he said.

Najib said that there was also a need to address volatile and soaring costs of commodities and food supply that arose from the disruption in the production and supply chain caused by lockdowns around the world.

"When you hurt the wallets of the people, they will complain. But when you hurt the stomachs of the people or their families, it becomes a matter of life and death.

"Ordinary folk throughout the world had their income, savings and livelihoods severely depleted and hurt by the months-long lockdowns where they were prevented from earning a living, only to emerge from the lockdowns to find that food prices have soared.

"I fear that global food inflation may continue to soar," he said.

He added that China and the world had a responsibility and must do their utmost to help contain global food and commodity prices and reduce volatility until the global supply chain could be normalised and stocks replenished.

Speaking to reporters later on the emergency response to the ongoing floods, Najib urged the government to get its priorities right in managing the flood and relief efforts.

"Whatever I say might be tantamount to criticising the present government, but the most important thing is to make sure you get your priorities right and get the government machinery to act in a very coordinated fashion.

"They must act with the utmost urgency, even though it is 2am or 3am, you have to mobilise whatever assets you have," he said.

He aded that people judge the government's performance and everyone must learn from recent experience to ensure the machinery was on the ground during emergencies.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/12/27/najib-more-important-to-be-malaysian-at-heart-than-what-cutlery-you-use