It will be an uphill task for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to attract investors to the four Islamic Green Belt states. Congratulations if you can bring development to these four states.
Political stability and what the leadership stand for are top on investors' criteria list. Slogans like “free ticket to heaven if you vote for PAS” and extremist religious leanings, will not go well with foreign investors.
Appointing Dr Mahathir as the adviser of the SG4 is purely cosmetic and may bring little benefit to Perikatan Nasional-led states. it is quite a strange move (by PN) as PN state governments who are at odds with the federal government.
Worst still, its unofficial leader Dr Mahathir calls foreigners “Pendatang” (immigrants).
Dr Mahathir is set to provide economic guidance to the group known as the “State Government Four” or “SG4.” Can he do that? He will succeed if he can get his cronies to bring back the money from overseas. The constant clarion call by PMX Anwar Ibrahim is bring back the people’s money where it belongs.
When Dr Mahathir was in office as PM, the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) and other agencies played a key role in attracting investors to the country. Today, he cannot do it alone. Any foreign direct investment will still need to go through MIDA, which is under the federal Government.
The move to make Dr Mahathir is perceived as an attempt by PAS to enhance the economic credibility and influence of the states of Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, which they govern.
Dr Mahathir’s era leaders from other countries have retired, and he has lost his clout and influence. Malaysians will be delighted if investors can invest in the four states.
Unfortunately, alleged corruption cases investigated and pending may deter investors from coming to the four states.
Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar revealed last week that a coalition of PN-led states is in the works, with Dr Mahathir serving as its unofficial adviser. Samsuri stated that Dr Mahathir’s role would primarily involve advising on governance and connecting the states with foreign investors.
Merdeka Center Ibrahim Suffian cautioned that utilising Dr Mahathir to discredit the ruling government could be counterproductive for PN, highlighting that Dr Mahathir’s popularity has waned recently.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said there was no "tangible reason" for PN to appoint the former prime minister as its unofficial governance and economic adviser, the New Straits Times reported.
On Wednesday (20/9/23) Dr Mahathir Mohamad briefed Kedah government leaders about his economic development plans under the “SG4” grouping for more than two hours at the Kedah Menteri Besar’s official residence.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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