Mukhriz: It wasn't my fault - Pakatan caused the 81% FDI drop
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| Mukhriz and dad Mahathir - it wasn't me! |
Malaysia Chronicle
As expected, International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mukhriz Mahathir pointed the finger at the opposition for the loss of foreign investor confidence in Malaysia, but made no acknowledgment of investors' disappointment over the lack of social, political and economic reform by the Najib administration.
“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,” Malaysian Insider reported Mukhriz as telling Parliament on Tuesday.
However, he soon shot down his own statement when he admitted that out of the top five states with the highest investments between January and August this year, three were run by the Pakatan Rakyat led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
The highest FDI went to Selangor with RM5.669 billion, followed by Johor, Penang, Kedah and Perak. Selangor, Penang and Kedah are Pakatan states.
Blaming others
PAS MP for Kuala Krai Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli had grilled Mukhriz, whose father is former premier Mahathir Mohamad, on why there was an 81 per cent plunge in the 2009 foreign direct investment.
As expected, International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mukhriz Mahathir pointed the finger at the opposition for the loss of foreign investor confidence in Malaysia, but made no acknowledgment of investors' disappointment over the lack of social, political and economic reform by the Najib administration.
“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,” Malaysian Insider reported Mukhriz as telling Parliament on Tuesday.
However, he soon shot down his own statement when he admitted that out of the top five states with the highest investments between January and August this year, three were run by the Pakatan Rakyat led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
The highest FDI went to Selangor with RM5.669 billion, followed by Johor, Penang, Kedah and Perak. Selangor, Penang and Kedah are Pakatan states.
Blaming others
PAS MP for Kuala Krai Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli had grilled Mukhriz, whose father is former premier Mahathir Mohamad, on why there was an 81 per cent plunge in the 2009 foreign direct investment.
Hatta blamed the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority or Mida, which comes under Mukhriz's ministry, for not working hard enough.
But the deputy minister denied this, citing a 37 per cent decline in worldwide FDI as investors sat on their cash amid concerns the global economy might weaken further.
“In truth, Mida’s efforts have helped attract plenty of investment into the country, even into Pakatan Rakyat states. This proves that the Barisan Nasional government does not discriminate and Mida has continued to focus on its duty to encourage investment,” Mukhriz said.
This is not the first time that the first-term MP has resorted to giving political answers to economic questions raised in Parliament, which pundits say should be based on fact and accurate data. Due to his habitual passing of the buck, even in Parliament, Mukhriz has earned himself a reputation for blaming others.
But the deputy minister denied this, citing a 37 per cent decline in worldwide FDI as investors sat on their cash amid concerns the global economy might weaken further.
“In truth, Mida’s efforts have helped attract plenty of investment into the country, even into Pakatan Rakyat states. This proves that the Barisan Nasional government does not discriminate and Mida has continued to focus on its duty to encourage investment,” Mukhriz said.
This is not the first time that the first-term MP has resorted to giving political answers to economic questions raised in Parliament, which pundits say should be based on fact and accurate data. Due to his habitual passing of the buck, even in Parliament, Mukhriz has earned himself a reputation for blaming others.
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| Dr Hatta - irresponsible reply |
"I am disappointed because the deputy Trade minister seems to think investors are fools who are easily lured by propaganda and false rosy pictures. Believe me, the big ones always do their own intelligence and they are disappointed at many things including the way rule of law has been trampled on in Malaysia especially after the Perak crisis, not to mention ultra groups like Perkasa, which don't help with all their racist threats and rhetoric," Hatta told Malaysia Chronicle.
"Blaming the opposition for the dismal performance of the government is very irresponsible and an effort to not admit the weaknesses of Miti and Mida. Bad news of what happens in Malaysia spreads easily and doesn't the opposition. A good example is Richard Branson of Virgin Airways. He was invited by Mida as their keynote speaker in their own conference and what he had to say was very clear - the government's persecution of Anwar Ibrahim on ridiculously flimsy sodomy charges is driving investors away, not Pakatan."
20/10/10
"Blaming the opposition for the dismal performance of the government is very irresponsible and an effort to not admit the weaknesses of Miti and Mida. Bad news of what happens in Malaysia spreads easily and doesn't the opposition. A good example is Richard Branson of Virgin Airways. He was invited by Mida as their keynote speaker in their own conference and what he had to say was very clear - the government's persecution of Anwar Ibrahim on ridiculously flimsy sodomy charges is driving investors away, not Pakatan."
20/10/10
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