KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has appealed to various quarters not to politicise the issue of the China Ambassador to Malaysia’s personal donation to eight schools in Sembrong.

Responding to questions on the recent RM40,000 contribution from Dr Huang Huikang made to the 8 SRJK (C) schools, Hishammuddin said: “I’ve never asked him to make the donation; it is of his own goodwill.

“I am very grateful that people are willing to contribute,” Hishammuddin said at a press conference after attending a meeting on the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2016 at his ministry here yesterday.

“Anything that can help our school system, who would say no to it?

“Provided, it doesn’t affect our national interest and there are no strings attached,” he added.

The matter was reported to have irked some Opposition politicians.

On the DSA 2016, a total of 1,200 companies from 60 countries are expected to participate in the exhibition to be held at the Putra World Trade Centre from April 18 to 21.

Hishammuddin said the positive response, despite the current economic uncertainty, showed that Malaysia was in a strategic position in terms of the defence industry.

He said some 34,000 trade visitors from 77 countries were expected to attend the DSA 2016.

He said the forums would be a good platform to discuss regional security issues as well as the Daesh or Islamic State terror threat.-thestar