GEORGE TOWN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the importance of Malaysia maintaining its competitive edge in attracting investors to the country, stressing the need for continual improvement in efficiency.
While acknowledging recent reforms aimed at expediting approval processes, he noted that there was still room for improvement.
He urged comparison not just with Malaysia's past performance but also with other countries, citing Vietnam's remarkable efficiency in approvals as an example.
"We cannot compare our level of efficiency today to five years ago. Our level of efficiency must be compared to that of other countries.
"Take Vietnam as an example. It emerged as a giant in the Asean region and its strength lies in its speed in approvals granted.
"In certain aspects, it even overtook us. I do not think that Malaysia should lose in terms of efficiency. This is because our strength lies in our workforce, our mastery in the English language, better training and more.
"As such, I hope that all state governments and local councils will give their fullest cooperation to the federal government. There are steps taken but more can be done. That is the input I have been getting," he said.
Anwar said this at the closing of the northern region Madani Rakyat 2024 programme here today.
Present was Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.
Others included Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Anwar cited Infineon's €5 billion investment in the Kulim Hi-Tech Park as evidence of the benefits of an efficient system.
"The company agreed to invest as there are less problems with the system there, which is more efficient, new and outside the norm," he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, and other officials for their efforts in improving efficiency.
Anwar urged continued reforms across all sectors, emphasising the need for swift approvals and efficient operations in seaports and airports.
He stressed the importance of addressing inefficiencies in services, noting that delays at airports like Penang International Airport or Kuala Lumpur International Airport were unacceptable.
"We cannot have people waiting for hours unless we are operating the airport in New York which is already a major attraction.
"But for the Penang International Airport or even the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, that cannot be forgiven.
Anwar emphasised the necessity of genuine efforts from both state and federal governments to improve efficiency, dismissing mere claims of doing one's best as insufficient.
"And if there are discussions between the state governments and federal government, everyone will say they have done their best but that is not always the case," he said, adding that this was what investigators were claiming.