KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 ― Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today said he hoped the ethnic Chinese community will choose the “right choice” in the upcoming 14th general elections (GE14).

Najib also cautioned that Malaysia's blossoming ties with China would suffer and plunge to its lowest point if the federal Opposition won in the next general elections.

“Today we celebrate ‘Hari Raya Tahun Baru Cina’ (Chinese New Year), soon we will celebrate another ‘Hari Raya’ that is called ‘Pilihan Raya’ (election).

“And I hope when the time comes, you will be able to make the right choice,” he said in a speech at the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia's (Huazong) Chinese New Year gathering.

Earlier, Najib had said: “I'm confident that if you decide in a proper and right manner, not based on any emotions, but based on facts and reality, I'm sure you will make the right choice when the time comes.”

In the gathering attended by 1,200 people from 118 local Chinese associations, Najib pointed out that Malaysia-China ties are currently at an “all-time high”.

“You know the things [the government] are doing, but what is unfortunate is some Opposition politicians are trying to confuse and to sow hatred among the people; accusing us of surrendering sovereignty,” said Najib, who is also chairman of ruling coalition Barisan Nasional.

He said the federal Opposition has been “telling lies” such as the claim that those who buy Forest City condominiums in Johor would receive citizenship and the allegation that the Malaysia China Kuantan Industrial Park is part of China which Malaysians cannot enter.

“All these things are really designed to sow feelings of distrust between Malaysia and China. In fact, our previous leader has stated that if the get power, they intend to cancel all the contracts that we have with China,” he said, without naming the leader that he was referring to.

“We cannot allow that, if the Opposition takes over, the relationship with China will deteoriate, instead of being highest-level ever, it will be lowest level ever,” he cautioned.

“This is something we must not allow because the mutual benefit is enormous between Malaysia and China and that relationship under my leadership as Prime Minister and colleagues will continue to be further strengthened in the future,” he added.

Najib's BN coalition is expected to go head on with the federal opposition Pakatan Harapan that is chaired by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the election that must be held by August 2018.

The 14th general elections can also be called earlier, but the federal government has yet to announce when it will be held.