JOHOR BARU: Foreign investors, especially from Japan and Singapore, have expressed their willingness to retain and maintain their foreign direct investments (FDIs) in Malaysia.
According to Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, foreign investors have also expressed their confidence in the country’s new leadership.
These commitments were relayed to Azmin during his official visits to Japan and Singapore with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently.
“There is a renewed interest among foreign investors in Malaysia and it is a positive development for us,’’ Azmin told reporters after delivering his keynote address at the Johor Integrity and Corporate Governance Summit 2018, organised by Johor Corp (JCorp) here yesterday.
Azmin noted that investors from Japan and Singapore had applauded the bold steps taken by Dr Mahathir, including the institutional reforms and empowering the role of the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“This has sent out a strong signal that Malaysia is serious in tackling corruptions and we are moving in the right track with reforms in the country’s administration’’ he added.
Azmin said the reforms were important to instill confidence among existing foreign investors and fund managers in the country that “their FDI and money are safe and sound.”
He pointed out that the Pakatan Harapan government had taken bold measures in the last six months, especially in the first 100 days since taking over from Barisan Nasional.
The measures include cancelling or postponing mega projects approved by the previous administration, before the May general election to reduce the government’s expenditure.
“Malaysia will also continue with its economic collaborations with countries in the region,” he added.