KOTA BARU: The opposition has finally realised the importance of foreign investments, such as from China, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said today.
He said their criticism against the government for bringing in Chinese investments and making deals made with the US were mere talks, aimed at provoking the people.
He said Pakatan Harapan (PH) was now aware that investments from countries like China into their own states were essential.
“We all know that PH is an expert at making U-turns. Previously, they opposed to Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BRIM) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST), but at the same time they admitted that those were good measures.
“We know leaders like (Datuk Seri Mohamed) Azmin Ali (Selangor Menteri Besar) and Lim Guan Eng (Penang Chief Minister) go to China to draw investments into their respective states despite what their top leaders are saying.
“This clearly shows that they are inconsistent, and that the allegations were intended to stoke the public’s anger,” he said.
Mustapa was speaking to reporters after attending a Chinese New Year celebration at Taman Kenangan, here, today.
Yesterday, Azmin was reported as saying that investments from China must be welcomed as they benefit the country, a statement seen as contradictoty to the views of PH chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had been vocal of foreign direct investment from China.
Mustapa said Azmin's statement clearly showed that the federal government, led by Barisan Nasional (BN), has been on the right track all along.
“The reality is that there are many more countries investing in our country, such as the United States, Korea, Japan and Germany. China is just one of them.
“Malaysians must choose a government that is consistent in carrying out short-term, medium and long-term policies that will benefit them in future,” he said.