PETALING JAYA: Malaysians need to cash in on their core strength – the diverse and harmonious population – to win investors over and stay ahead of their neighbours in the global economy.
Investors have always been keen on investing in Malaysia if the country could only harness its unity card and keep the political stability it was known for in the past, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
“The time for politicking is over. Now is the time to move together. I believe each of us wants the best for Malaysia.
“We had our challenges over the last five years, having changed four Prime Ministers. Moving forward, we must harness Malaysia’s unity to portray a perception of stability and draw investors in, making us great again.
“The country has had peaceful transitions of power and has been able to weather various economic and political crises. We must emphasise this to investors.
“Malaysia’s diverse population is our core strength as it allows for a wide range of perspectives and ideas.
“This diversity can be leveraged to attract investors who are looking for a multicultural and diverse investment environment,” said Fadillah, who is also the Petra Jaya MP.
Malaysia’s commitment to economic growth, he added, had seen significant progress in terms of economic growth and development in recent years, further demonstrating the country’s potential as a strong investment destination.
During the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China, Malaysia clinched one of its biggest-ever raft of business deals – over RM170bil worth of projects – with a total of 19 MOUs inked.
Among the highlights are a RM32bil Automotive High-Technology Valley in Tanjung Malim that focuses on new energy vehicles and a 1,200MW multi-shaft combined-cycle power plant to be developed in Gurun, Kedah.
Fadillah, who is also the Plantations and Commodities Minister, said Malaysia’s infrastructure and excellent connectivity are good selling points in attracting potential investors.
“We must strengthen ties with existing investors to maintain strong relationships by providing support and incentives for companies to expand.
“This can be done by taking targeted action to attract investment.
“It is crucial to do so as this will position our country as a competitive investment destination in the region,” he said.
Being part of the unity government which had promised to deliver on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said Fadillah, also offered the opportunity for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to protect and claim the rights of the Borneans.
“Malaysia, like any other country, is fragile and vulnerable to events or situations that can cause tension or disharmony, particularly with regard to race and religion.
“However, we have a history of successfully managing and resolving issues related to race and religion.
“This can be seen by the previous governments and this government’s actions during the pandemic as well as post-pandemic periods where we prioritise public health and safety, rather than address any particular political or social issue.
“We must practise tolerance and openness with one another in respecting each other’s cultural beliefs and religion.
“We must not allow any room for moral policing where groups or vigilantes exert their extreme values on other communities.
“We must uphold dearly to the fact that ‘United we stand, Divided we fall’ if we are serious about strengthening and building the country.”
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/04/03/our-core-strength-is-unity-says-fadillah