Najib: Jack Ma gave 'alibaba' a positive twist

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak praised Chinese tycoon Jack Ma for his commitment towards Malaysia's digital economy and also praised him for giving a positive meaning to the Malay word "alibaba".

Speaking at the launch of Malaysia's digital free trade zone (DFTZ) in Kuala Lumpur, Najib said the word "alibaba" referred to rent-seeking in Malaysia but Ma had changed this through the success of online trading giant Alibaba Group which the latter founded.

"Alibaba is not considered a thief in the Malaysian context, it's considered a rent seeker... just takes commission.

"'Alibaba' is now the most exciting word. Everyone wants to partner you, but we were first," he said .

Najib said Malaysia has become the first country in the world to house a DTFZ outside of China, attracting a lot of attention in the process.

"You came here, for the first time, with four CEOs in your group. I'm told that this is the first time Ma is traveling overseas with four CEOs together with him.

"Not even when you met the US president Donald Trump, did you bring four," he quipped.

The premier then recounted a meeting he had with Ma last November, where they discussed, among other issues, the DTFZ. Najib said he knew at the time that Malaysia had a tight deadline to meet.

"(But) we have proven to you that the Malaysian government can make it happen within four months.

"And I love your quote on 'the Malaysian government is much efficient than I thought'. So I can use that," said Najib.

Ma, in his speech earlier, had admitted that he did not think that the launch could happen in time and said "Malaysia is more efficient than I thought".

Last year, he was appointed as the digital economy adviser to the Malaysian government.

'A lot of things in common'

Meanwhile, Najib, who shared with the audience how he had a “wonderful lunch” earlier with Ma, found that they have “a lot of things in common”.

“I was surprised, I thought as a politician what would we have in common. When we started talking he said ‘I want results’.

“I said that sounds familiar, I want results, too.”

The premier added that the two also shared similar beliefs on wanting a government that is efficient and doing things that could bring people together.

“Inclusivity and that's exactly what we want in Malaysia. In China, he's created 33 million jobs,” he pointed out.

Najib in his speech also mentioned how Ma had selected 110 acres as part of the KLIA Aeropolis and that the government would afford 500,000 square feet of urban development project Bandar Malaysia for businesses to be set up there.

“Small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, they will be under one roof in Bandar Malaysia,” he added.

Najib, later on, gave his assurance that he will “personally drive” the DFTZ together with his ministers.

“We will make this happen. This is our commitment to you; when we shook hands in Beijing on Nov 4, I meant business, I meant to make this happen and we will make this happen.”

Thanking Ma for his “strong endorsement”, Najib said there was no better endorsement than from Ma to personally say that he believed in Malaysia.

“This is about partnership. I believe, Jack, it's not about monopolising, it's about partnership.

“It's about trust, friendship, the heart, it’s not just about the dollar sign. If the heart is at the right place we will make it happen and Malaysia will deliver,” promised Najib.- Mkini