Foreign Minister backs Dr M’s stand on Forest City project
PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of the US$100bil (RM410bil) Forest City project in Johor should not come as a surprise, says the Foreign Minister.
Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said this was because the Prime Minister has consistently spoken out against investments from abroad if it did not benefit the people and country.
Saying Dr Mahathir would continue to do so, he added: “It is very easy to understand how the PM thinks as he is clear and articulate on his pronouncements.
“Whenever he finds activities that do not clearly spell out the specific benefit for the people, then he will make that kind of comment.”
Saifuddin was asked to comment on Dr Mahathir’s remarks on Monday that Malaysia would not allow foreigners to buy residential units in the Forest City project.
Dr Mahathir was quoted by Reuters as saying: “One thing is certain, that city that is going to be built cannot be sold to foreigners.
“We are not going to give visas for people to come and live here.”
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement clarified that the purchase of properties did not guarantee automatic residency in Malaysia.
It said Malaysia imposed certain “conditions and information” for foreigners purchasing properties, irrespective of nationality.
Saifuddin said Malaysia’s policy as explained by Dr Mahathir was that while the country welcomed foreign investments, it must meet four criteria – involve foreign capital, build factories, employ locals and involve transfer of technology.
“If we don’t see these four elements, we will start questioning,” said Saifuddin.
Asked how Malaysians viewed Dr Mahathir’s recent official visit to China, the minister said the outcome should not just be measured in terms of deals or agreements signed.
“The qualitative part of the meetings is even more important, in that we managed to keep our relations healthy and improve on it while ensuring that our interests are protected,” he added.
Saifuddin listed three major takeaways for Malaysia from Dr Mahathir’s China visit – the strengthening of bilateral relations with China, an agreement that all outstanding issues including the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and gas pipeline projects can be negotiated, and making clear that Malaysia was business-friendly and welcomed genuine FDIs.
Saifuddin said there was a decision that agreements on the projects could be reviewed.
He said Chinese President Xi Jinping had during the bilateral meeting clearly expressed the view that China understood the predicament the Malaysian government was caught in.
“Dr Mahathir was very articulate in presenting our case in that we did not blame the Chinese government, that we seek their understanding on the financial problems we are laden with due to debts and other issues involving the previous government,” said Saifuddin.