Malaysian PM Hopes Year Of The Rooster Will "Fire Up" Country's Economy

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak said he hoped that the Year of the Fire Rooster will "fire up" the country's economy. "Also we hope to ramp up efforts to look after the welfare of the people and that this year may be free of any threats especially in terms of national security," he said. Najib said this to reporters when asked about his hopes for the Year of the Fire Rooster in the Chinese calendar at the MCA's Chinese New Year open house at Wisma MCA here. He also hoped that Malaysians will continue to live in peace and harmony and join hands in further strengthening racial unity. Najib also wished the Malaysian Chinese community "Gong Xi Fa Cai". Earlier, Najib, who was accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansor, had spent about an hour at the open house. Najib, who donned a red batik shirt (red being an auspicious color for the Chinese), and Rosmah in a Chinese traditional dress, were welcomed on arrival by MCA's top brass led by its president to the beat of drums and a lion dance. The leaders along with other leaders from Barisan Nasional (National Front) component parties later tossed the must have 'yee sang' for good luck. Najib and the guests also witnessed a Chinese calligraphy demonstration by Calligraphy Society of Malaysia patron Dr Wong Kum Peng before he (Najib) took the opportunity draw the Chinese word 'Chun' which means 'the spring festival of the year.' -- BERNAMA