JOHOR BAHARU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called on all parties to keep an open mind and not to be emotional about Singapore’s investment in Johor, particularly in Iskandar Malaysia.
THAT’S INTERESTING: Najib (right) visits Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat gallery after opening the Pulai Umno division meeting and the Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat Complex. Also seen are Pulai MP Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed (second left) who is also the son of the late Tan Sri Mohamaed Rahmat and Johor MB Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman (third left). — Bernama photo
Najib, who is the Umno president, said if Singapore or other countries were investing in Iskandar Malaysia, it would be to the benefit of the people of Johor.
“If we want to see development in Iskandar Malaysia and Johor, we should be open to investments from all. There is no difference between investments from Singapore and those from the United States as long as they are beneficial,” he said when opening the Pulai Umno division meeting and the Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat Complex here yesterday.
The prime minister said parochialism should be discarded in matters concerning foreign investment, including those from Singapore “because we are now in the 21st century.”
Citing an example, he said, if the United States bought palm oil from Malaysia, the move would also benefit Felda and its settlers.
On Felda, the prime minister said it was not true that the land development agency was bankrupt as alleged by the opposition.
“It was the opposition leaders who were bankrupt of ideas,” he said.
He also said that Malaysia need to move forward in its quest to become a developed nation.
“We want to see Malaysia becomes a modern country, a country which is creative, innovative and able to compete at the international level,” he said.
Present were Young PAP Singapore chairman Teo Ser Luck and the deputy speaker of Indonesia’s house of representative, Anis Matta. — Bernama