People’s man: Dr Chua greeting the people during the Chinese New Year open house and Jamuan Rakyat 1Malaysia at UTC Malacca. Looking on is state MCA chief Datuk Gan Tian Loo (standing, second from right).

TELOK DATOK: Barisan Nasional is more united now and its supporters are in high spirits as the general election nears, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

At numerous Chinese New Year open houses over the past six days, Dr Chua noted many Barisan leaders and supporters showed up compared to last year.

“This is a good development. It shows that there is solidarity and unity among component party members.

“This is also important as we want Barisan to move as a team compared to Pakatan Rakyat who only get together when the election is near,” he said after attending the Kuala Langat MCA division Chinese New Year open house yesterday.

Taking a swipe at the Pakatan-led Selangor government, Dr Chua said it had the distinction of being sued by its own people for unfulfilled promises, ranging from free water to aid for single mothers.

He also took the Penang government to task for crowing about their successes when it suited them.

Penang, he said, had registered negative 1.8% growth from 2008 to 2011 in contrast to Malaysia's average growth of 5.4%.

He said Penang had dropped from the top three to seventh place in terms of foreign direct investment.

“Can we say this means foreign investors have no confidence in the DAP-helmed government?” he asked.

Earlier in his speech, Dr Chua said the people should have confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the nation had done well under his leadership.

While other developed nations registered less than stellar percentages, Malaysia is confident that its economic growth rate this year can be between 5.0% to 5.5% due to the various transformation programmes already put in place.

“The Prime Minister has proven that he is people-friendly and listens to them. This is in line with 1Malaysia and we should all support him,” he said.

Dr Chua also added that the people should not support those who promised “the moon and the sky with an old rocket which will not bring you to the moon”.

• Japan's tumble drags key regional, European markets lower
• KUB in JV with Singapore's Hiap Seng for Petronas project
• TDM to plant 5,000ha of new trees every year in Kalimantan
• KLCI falls to low of 1,765, rattled by Japan, HK
• Japan stocks crash on volatile bonds, weak China data; Nikkei ends down 7.3%
• MISC posts RM300m net profit in Q1, sees challenging year ahead (Update)
• KL Kepong slips to low of RM21.36 as quarterly profit drops
• Maybank's Q1 earnings up 11.8% to RM1.506b (Update)
• Lafarge Cement positive on markets, mulls expanding capacity
• Dayang Enterprise awards RM705m contract to Perdana Petroleum
• KLCI pauses, Japan, Hong Kong key indices slide (Update)
• ECM Libra plans to exit PN17 by year-end
• China HSBC flash PMI hits 7-mth low, fans growth fears
• RHB Research maintains Buy on KPJ Healthcare, FV RM7.30
• Alliance Neutral on Axiata, ups target price to RM7

• Ranger, militant killed in Thai south shootout
• Japan man, 80, scales Everest, sets record
• Philippines vows to defend territory against China
• S. Korean girl killed by suicide jumper
• Ecuador warns satellite could hit rocket remains
• Short-story writer Davis wins Booker International Prize
• Two babies among US tornado victims
• Anti-Islamist protests flare following London attack
• 'British solider' butchered in suspected Islamist attack (Updated)

• Rugby: Former All Black coach Henry on misconduct charge
• Ice queen Nicol into British Open quarters
• Australia to consider following ban on anchor putters
• Intxausti wins 16th stage, Nibali still keeps pink jersey
• Indonesia drawn to meet China again – in knockout stage
• Results worldwide
• Malacca sprinter Mohd Azam Masri out to create history by winning five events in MSSM meet
• Athletics runs in the veins of Vallabouy family
• Chinese long jumper Jinzhe claims another Olympic scalp
• Dane Jorgensen’s wish is to avoid Chinese ace Lin Dan in World Championships
• National badminton team’s lack of depth a glaring factor in home tourney
• Khim Wah-V Shem perform above expectations in Sudirman Cup debut
• Jindapon aims to qualify for 2016 Olympics
• Kenichi’s goal is to take Japan into Sudirman Cup semi-finals
• Dong-keun shows he’s a capable replacement

• Please wait.

• Actress’ barking pet saves her from attacker in late night incident
• In China, food scares put Mao's self-sufficiency goal at risk
• Transport Ministry reveals new FT registration plate to start with W1A
• Tian Chua, Haris Ibrahim, Tamrin Ghafar detained (Update)
• What comes after WYY?
• All four accused guilty in murder of Sosilawati Lawiya and three others (Update)
• Astro and Maxis to deliver new-age TV service in Klang Valley
• Verdict ends three years of restlessness for family, says Sosilawati's daughter
• Colleges challenge new conditions set by registrar
• Chromebook to help rural pupils leapfrog into parity with urban peers