Umno leaders must never forget the people who helped them attain the positions they now occupy, said Umno Tanah Merah division chief Datuk Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz.

“We must always welcome any (constituent) at our office, as they are the people who are responsible for giving us the support we needed, and for putting us where we are now.

“This includes the youth who depend on us to safeguard their future,” he said in his speech to debate the economic motion at the Umno General Assembly today.

Ikmal said various quarters questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s efforts in attracting more foreign direct investment (FDI).

“Last year, a total of about RM43 billion in FDI was recorded here.

“This was the case in the recent deals sealed with China. Those who accused the prime minister of ‘selling the country’ are in reality jealous of his achievement of securing deals worth about RM144 billion.

“As we are facing an uncertain global economy, exploring business opportunities with China – an emerging economic powerhouse – (is prudent)” he said.

Ikmal added that, in an effort to safeguard the interests of the Malays, Umno Kelantan is throwing its support behind a proposal to enact a law to prevent discrimination based on race in the private sector.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd