Liow further advised businessmen to mechanise production in order to replace manual operations.

“In the long run, we need to reduce the dependency on foreign labour,” he told reporters after the 2017 Budget Workshop at Wisma MCA on Saturday.

The Budget Workshop has been held annually since 2014 as part of MCA’s efforts to engage the people and understand the challenges faced while gathering feedback for the Budget.

 Other issues discussed included the reduction of personal and company taxes following the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax last year and matters related to Chinese education.

Among those present were Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia president Datuk Ter Leong Yap, Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah, United Chinese School Teachers’ Association of Malaysia (Jiao Zong) chairman Ong Chiow Chuen and United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) chairman Datuk Lau Lee Ming.

Also in attendance were representatives from major Chinese guilds, clan associations and non-governmental organisations.