FORMER prime minister Najib Razak has said there are 10 ways the government can lure foreign investors back to Malaysia, following criticism from Umno lawmaker Shahidan Kassim.

In a Facebook post, Najib said the government must first rescind the state of emergency and combat the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

He also said that the government must not misuse the law and other government institutions for political purposes.

“Aside from this, return the mandate back to the people and form a government with a strong majority without ‘frogs’,” he said, referring to lawmakers offered inducements to switch political allegiance.

“Have a clear economic plan and do not simply cancel any agreement, especially projects with other countries.

“Do not sell assets that can in turn make money for us.

“Do not choose a failed cabinet minister from Pakatan Harapan to handle the economy.

“Do not give lame excuses to the people, such as ‘there are too many old people in Parliament’ and, finally, do not make statements that can push investors away,” said Najib last night in the post.

He also told Perikatan Nasional leaders not to keep issuing statements that erode investor confidence, such as the country has no more money, or civil servants need to take a pay cut to help the economy.

The Pekan MP’s post came after Umno lawmaker Shahidan Kassim previously took Najib to task for questioning the presence of Umno MPs in the PN government.

Najib had questioned why some Umno and Barisan Nasional members chose to stay in the Perikatan Nasional government although many have labelled it as a “failed government” by social media users.

Last Friday the #kerajaangagal hashtag was the top trending topic in Malaysia as people took to social media to comment about government failures, as another deputy minister was sworn in to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s 70 member cabinet.

Shahidan, the MP for Arau, said last night that – instead of criticising PN – Najib should use his experience as a former prime minister to help rebuild the nation.

“In my opinion, the government has been doing well. If people keep attacking it over economic problems, investors will be spooked.

“I would like to ask my former boss and my friend Najib to be constructive towards the government and make efforts to attract investors.

“I am sure, as the former prime minister, he has good ties with foreign investors,” Shahidan said to reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

Shahidan was appointed by Muhyiddin as PR1MA chairman shortly after Muhyiddin became prime minister last year.

He is among several Umno MPs who are viewed as Muhyiddin supporters.

In its recent general assembly, Umno decided to cut ties with Bersatu and will not ally with the splinter party in the coming general election.

Meanwhile, Najib is currently appealing his July 2020 conviction for multiple counts of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power, having been sentenced to 12 years in prison and RM210 million in fines for his part in the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International. – April 19, 2021.