Dr M faces flak over Oman advice

KUALA LUMPUR: Leaders hit out at Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for calling on Oman to open up to foreign investment deals.

He said this despite having slammed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for bringing in a record sum of foreign firect investment after his trip to China last year.

Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang, who drew on the former prime minister’s advice to Oman at the Duqm Society and Economy Forum, which was reported in the Times of Oman two days ago, stressed Dr Mahathir should maintain the same advice for Malaysia.

“If foreign investment is good for Oman, then why not for Malaysia? I think Dr M should be consistent when giving advice,” he said.

Dr Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, had repeatedly said that the multi-billion dollar deals inked by Najib with Chinese companies during his visit to China last year was a threat to Malaysia’s sovereignty.

This, among others, includes the RM55 billion East Coast Railway Link (ECRL) with a Chinese company.

MIC treasurer-general Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari also could not understand why Dr Mahathir was saying one thing to Malaysians and singing a different tune to Oman.

“He also knows that with every FDI received by Malaysia, it shows that investors across the world are confident with our economy and Najib’s leadership of the country.”

Vell Paari said that this further proves that Dr Mahathir had made his earlier statements to disrupt the government and influence the people by saying FDIs were harmful.

“He has no option. He is hoping that by lying to the rakyat by saying FDIs are bad, they will not vote Barisan Nasional in the coming elections,” he said.

MCA Religious Harmony Bureau chair Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker however took the matter lightly by saying the statement was made in classic Dr Mahathir style.

“He is a very intelligent man and is able to tailor facts to his audience. He is very selective of facts and does not speak much on them. His arguments are often paradoxical.

“This statement is classic Dr M. Today, he will say something to win one crowd and tomorrow he will say the opposite. He is playing to the gallery and in this case, his political end justifies his means.”