PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today the administration has shown new confidence and there is ease of doing business with political stability. 

The finance minister said when the government has clear decision making and new methods that are more efficient and clean, it boosts investor confidence. 

“We cannot deny… and sometimes I have also heard people asking for commission from the Prime Minister’s Department and other officers.

“That’s why it will take time to get rid of this old culture (asking for commission). So, I would like to ask for all to cooperate,” he said at the monthly staff assembly in Putrajaya. 

Anwar was addressing the group after returning from his trip to China, where Malaysia secured a record RM170 billion worth of investment commitment. 

The amount, the largest so far from China, is from a total of 19 memoranda of understanding signed between businesses in China and Malaysia.

Anwar was on a three-day visit to China to enhance bilateral political and trade ties with the East Asian country.

The prime minister said there is a new and vibrant surge in Malaysia’s image, and employing good governance and management practices will help boost the country’s reputation.

Anwar also said he emphasised during his visit to China the need to take in local workers for their projects here. 

“If there is not enough manpower (for projects), approvals can be expedited provided there is an effort to take in locals. 

“Secondly, if they don’t have the expertise then they should have a team to train staff (here) because these investments are worth billions of ringgit.

“We have oil and gas, pharmaceutical and Proton-Geely, which are all big investments.”

There will be specialised training for locals before the job vacancies are open up to professionals from China.

“When we insisted on this, they welcomed it (suggestion).” – April 3, 2023.