KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Michelle Yeoh has defended her decision to openly support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

She said everyone was free to give their views in Malaysia.

“This is a democratic country and we are free to voice our opinion.

“I believe all of us want to do good for our country.

“I believe they want to do the same thing,” the Ipoh-born actress told Channel News Asia of those who criticised her decision.

The interview was picked up by China Press.

Yeoh openly expressed support for the Prime Minister at a gathering organised by the Federation of Chinese Descendents of Selangor on Saturday.

“We have a leader here who has done so many good things and will do more.

“I hope from the bottom of my heart that he will remain as the Prime Minister and I ask all of you to give him a strong mandate,” she told the crowd at the mammoth gathering organised to show support for Najib.

Yeoh had attended the dinner in Westport, Port Klang despite cyber bullies attacking her on Facebook prior to the event.

A netizen had said that she was once Malaysian people's pride but no longer.

Another netizen had asked Yeoh if she had “any idea how her fellow countrymen live” before urging the 49-year-old actress to reconsider her decision and “not become a traitor”.

However, others including her father Datuk Yeoh Kian Tiek, came to Yeoh's defence, reminding netizens that she had the right to support any political party.

Kian Tiek said people should be more understanding as his daughter had the freedom to decide whatever dinner or event she wanted to attend.

“It is her decision and they should respect it,” said her father.

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