Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has dismissed allegations linking him to the withdrawal of Dubai-based Bin Zayed International (BZI) Group from the RM40 billion Langkasuka development in Langkawi. The ambitious project, which envisioned 1,000 acres of artificial islands shaped like an eagle, has now lost one of its primary international investors.
Sanusi, addressing criticism from various quarters, clarified that the project was a private partnership, not directly overseen by the Kedah state government. “I have no connection to Bin Zayed, nor do I know them. The collaboration between BZI and Widad Business Group was announced by then-prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, not by me or my administration,” he stated.
He added that if critics want answers, they should direct their questions to Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abd Aziz, the finance minister at the time. This was in response to Kedah PKR Youth chief Dr. Taufiq Johari, who blamed the state government’s alleged weak leadership for the investment fallout.
A Conspiracy to Derail Kedah’s Investments?
Sanusi further claimed a larger “grand design” was at play to sabotage private sector investments in Kedah. Without providing specifics, he suggested that certain investors were being pressured to withdraw from projects under his administration. “I know the pressures these companies face, but discussing it openly might not be appropriate,” he said during a heated exchange in the state assembly.
This claim followed accusations by Pakatan Harapan Kota Darulaman assemblyman Teh Swee Leong, who questioned the state government’s due diligence and transparency in handling investment announcements. Teh argued that the government should adopt stricter standard operating procedures (SOPs) to avoid the fallout from high-profile withdrawals like Langkasuka.
Shifting the Spotlight
Sanusi countered these criticisms by pointing to Tesla’s decision to forego plans to set up EV factories in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, emphasizing that investment withdrawals are not unique to Kedah. “Why don’t you mention that? Projects face challenges, and it’s not solely the government’s responsibility to resolve private sector issues,” he argued.
The Langkasuka project, once touted as a transformative development for Langkawi’s economy and tourism, now faces uncertainty following BZI’s exit. Widad Business Group’s managing director Datuk Seri Dr. Shamir Kumar Nandy revealed that BZI had pulled out in 2022, citing declining project value.
The Road Ahead
While the state government insists it has not suffered losses from the withdrawal, the fallout raises questions about the future of large-scale private investments in Kedah. As Sanusi fends off criticism and conspiracy allegations, the Langkasuka project remains a symbol of the challenges in attracting and retaining global investors.
Whether these issues stem from local governance or external pressures, they underline the need for greater transparency and strategic planning in Kedah’s investment landscape.
By: Kpost
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