'Anwar to blame for poor investments'

'Anwar to blame for poor investments'
By : Audrey Dermawan and Brenda Lim


TASEK GELUGOR: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent actions leading to political uncertainty have slowed down the flow of investments into the country.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the government had information that investors were adopting a "wait-and-see" approach to investing in Malaysia due to doubts about political stability.

He said they were largely from Asean and West Asian nations.

"The government had and will continue to allay such fears among investors.

"We want to assure them that Malaysia is still a preferred choice for investment and that they should invest here ... we offer one of the most conducive investment climates," he said after presenting Hari Raya aid to 315 poor families at his service centre in Sungai Dua near here yesterday.

He said this when commenting on Anwar's actions to ensure his political survival that had an adverse impact on the country.

Nor Mohamed said although leaders from BN and the opposition shared differing political views, they should pool their resources to attract investments.

"It is normal in politics for different people to have their own views. This is all part of democracy.

"However, in this issue (of investments), I hope all will give their fullest cooperation.

"We have to bear in mind that we also have to protect the interest and safeguard the well-being of future generations."



Nor Mohamed said it was important that investors did not pull out of the country.



On the second Penang Bridge, he said UEM Builders Bhd had the right to accept, reject or consider the offer for the construction of the main structure of the project from Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB).

"It is up to UEM Builders. The government cannot force them. We make the offer. It is for the company to decide.

"As of now, we do not foresee major problems," he said on JKSB's RM1.3 billion offer to UEM Builders on the matter.

UEM Builders was given two weeks from Monday to decide.



UEM Builders claimed the company they had not been officially informed about the offer.

In Ipoh, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamed Hanadzlah poured cold water on claims that investments would pour into the country if Pakatan Rakyat takes over.



"Investors do not say things like that," he said after presenting special allocations, amounting to RM72,000, to 17 primary schools and five secondary schools in his parliamentary constituency.

"He (Anwar) can say anything, but is it true or not?"



Husni, who is also Tambun MP, said the claims were a ploy to get political support, adding that investors were more concerned about the political stability and the financial risk of investing here.

"Some fund managers no longer place us as a politically stable country. This has affected our stock market and the ringgit."