Told to be positive, Najib offers 10 ways to draw investors

 

Najib Razak has come up with a list after being urged by Perlis Umno chief Shahidan Kassim to be more positive about the PN government.

PETALING JAYA: Najib Razak, urged to mute his criticism of a failed government and help attract foreign investors, has come up with 10 pieces of “positive advice” that summed up his previous critical comments.

Top of the list: End the state of emergency and restore democracy, don’t misuse the law and government institutions, and control the Covid-19 pandemic properly, not in a half-baked way, with a faster rate of vaccinations.

He mentioned the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) as among the government institutions that should not be misused for political reasons – a reference to the bankruptcy action taken against him over unpaid taxes assessed on a deposit of RM 2 billion in his bank account, which he said was a donation and not liable to be taxed.

Najib’s list was posted in the wake of Perlis Umno chief Shahidan Kassim urging him to be more positive, given his influence on foreign investors, as constant criticism would scare off investors.

In a quick response, the former prime minister provided a 10-point list on Facebook late last night under the headline “Want to attract investors?”

He urged the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration, which came into power in March last year on appointment by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, to “restore a people-elected government with a strong majority” without buying “frogs” or party-hoppers.

PN’s parliamentary majority has been questioned by the opposition and Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu party has been shored up with defections from Umno, PKR and DAP.

Najib called for a clear economic direction and vision that anyone could understand, unlike the government’s Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 programme, and said the government should not sell all assets that could generate income for the country.

In a veiled attack on Azmin Ali, the international trade minister, Najib said the PN government should not select “a minister who failed to take care of the economy in the Pakatan Harapan government but was later re-assigned by PN to attract investors”.

“Choose a leader who has a good track record,” he said.

He criticised the “ridiculous reasons” given by PN leaders to justify not holding a general election and a delay in implementing the voting age of 18, and urging graduates to be grateful for salaries below the minimum wage.

“Do not keep issuing statements that erode the confidence of investors such as the country has no more money or civil servants need to take a pay cut to help the country’s economy,” he said. - FMT