Mukhriz pins FDI slide on Pakatan
By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir blamed the opposition today for the loss of foreign investor confidence in Malaysia, accusing their lawmakers of badmouthing the country abroad.
“If there exists a lack of confidence among foreign investors towards Malaysia, this was triggered by the opposition’s activities abroad, where they have been actively discrediting Malaysia,” he said in Parliament today.
Mukhriz was responding to a supplementary question from Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai) on the 81 per cent drop in the country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) this year.
Mohd Hatta had suggested to the House that the drop in FDI ultimately pointed to the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority’s (Mida) failure to carry out its responsibilities.
Mukhriz disagreed with the PAS MP’s assertion, claiming that Mida’s efforts had helped attract many investments into the country.
He also said that the 81 per cent drop in the country’s FDI corresponded with the worldwide drop of 37 per cent due to the global financial crisis.
“In truth, Mida’s efforts have helped attract plenty of investment into the country, even into Pakatan Rakyat states,” he said.
Mukhriz pointed out that the top five states with the highest investments between January and August this year was Selangor with RM5.669 billion, followed by Johor, Penang, Kedah and Perak.
“This proves that the Barisan Nasional government does not discriminate and Mida has continued to focus on its duty to encourage investment,” he said.
