KUALA LUMPUR – Convicted former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be officiating the upcoming 2021 World Chinese Economic Forum (WCEF).
Alongside delivering a keynote address, the Pekan MP will also be attending the gala dinner and award ceremony as part of the event, which is hosted by Malaysia at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya tomorrow.
Najib, who was described as a “national embarrassment” by judge Datuk Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, will be speaking about “Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind” in his opening speech.
On December 8, the Court of Appeal had upheld the high court ruling that Najib was guilty on corruption charges involving SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.
In an admonishment to the former prime minister, Karim had remarked that “there is no national interest here, just a national embarrassment”.
Following the unanimous decision of the three-man bench, Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah had applied for a stay of execution against the Court of Appeal’s judgment at the Federal Court.
WCEF is an annual one-day event that aims to discuss the future of the world with China’s global stewardship.
This year will see 250 delegates comprising government leaders, captains of industries, and budding entrepreneurs discussing economic issues pertaining to the rising global superpower.
Besides a session on the topic of employing multilateralism when tackling global crises, the occasion will also facilitate discussions on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The panellists speaking at the event include Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Datuk R. Ramanathan, Asem Young Leaders Network Singapore president Soh Yi Da, Malaysian Institute of Economic Research research fellow Saizi Xiao, and Selangor Barisan Nasional information chief Isham Jalil.
On December 16, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had stated that Malaysia will continue to collaborate with China on the BRI as it will aid in the development of infrastructure and connectivity.
He further claimed that Malaysia was one of its earliest supporters as the nation recognises the huge economic potential held by the initiative.
“Malaysia and China’s economic collaborations were strengthened with the signing of the five-year programme for economic and trade cooperation in 2013 and with the BRI in 2017.”
Ismail Sabri said this when addressing delegates of the Global Chinese Economic and Technology Summit in a pre-recorded speech at the Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa in Penang. – The Vibes, December 26, 2021
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