Najib: More prosperous CNY due to rising ringgit

This year's Chinese New Year is more prosperous due to the country's improved economy, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said today.

The celebrations were more lively due to the rakyat's joy, he added, citing the ringgit's strength, among others.

"Confidence in the country's future is more prominent and as such, this year's Chinese New Year is being celebrated more vibrantly," he said.

Najib said this to reporters when met at MCA's Chinese New Year "open house" celebrations at the party's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

On Jan 5, it was reported that the ringgit strengthened to its highest level against the US dollar since Aug 2016, to 3.998 to the dollar.

The ringgit has since continued its upward momentum, standing at 3.9010 against the greenback on Jan 25. It stood at 3.89 yesterday.

Asked whether the Chinese lunar calendar's Year of the Dog will bring luck to BN in the upcoming general election, Najib expressed hope the new year would bring promising results to the current government.

There has been speculation that Najib will dissolve Parliament after the Chinese New Year celebrations, to pave way for the 14th general election.

The present BN government’s term ends on June 24. The general election must be called latest by August.

Gerakan 'open house'

Meanwhile, Bernama reports that prime minister and his wife also attended the Chinese New Year “open house” organised by Gerakan at the headquarters in Bangunan PGRM, Cheras.

Najib and Rosmah were greeted on arrival by the Gerakan top leadership lineup led by its president Mah Siew Keong to the accompaniment of a lion dance performance.

The prime minister and wife later mingled with the visitors present comprising almost 4,000 members of the various communities.

Rosmah, accompanied by the Gerakan president’s wife Yeoh Pooi Hoon also handed out gifts to 30 orphans from various welfare organisations around the Klang Valley.

The guests were entertained to an orchestra performance rendering Chinese New Year songs and lion dances.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, former MIC president S Samy Vellu, Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, MCA president Liow Tiong Lai and MIC president Dr S Subramaniam.

-Mkini