Opposition's move to bad-mouth Malaysia is an economic sabotage - PM Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has rapped opposition leaders who often make it a priority to bad-mouth Malaysia every time he embarks on overseas missions, saying that it is a form of economic sabotage.

In his blog post at najibrazak.com, the prime minister said such an action was indeed a big mistake because it was as if they wanted to chase away foreign investors from this country.

"Wouldn't it be a loss to our own people? Doesn't it show that they (opposition leaders) do not have a strong feeling of love for their own homeland?

"I also believe that their action to bad-mouth Malaysia is actually an attempt to cover their own shortcomings in terms of administration and public delivery," he said.

Citing the attitude of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Najib said the DAP secretary-general had been boasting about Penang being the preferred destination for foreign investors.

However, Najib said when many foreign investors left Penang, Lim changed his stand, prompting his supporters to begin accusing the federal government of selling the country when it managed to lure many foreign investments to Malaysia.

Meantime, the prime minister questioned the opposition's logic in claiming that the country was sold through foreign investments, while at the same time Malaysian citizens and companies invested nearly RM569.5 billion abroad.

"According to the logic adopted by the opposition, I wonder which country has actually sold its dignity and sovereignty to Malaysia?

"There are certain quarters who repeatedly claimed that Malaysia is a failed state and as long as I can remember, they have been doing so for decades," he added.

Najib said the opposition leaders should use their common sense and judge for themselves the confidence foreign leaders had in Malaysia, especially with the visits from heads of state, including the President of France, King of Saudi Arabia, President of the Philippines, President of the United States and Prime

However, Najib said when many foreign investors left Penang, Lim changed his stand, prompting his supporters to begin accusing the federal government of selling the country when it managed to lure many foreign investments to Malaysia.

Meantime, the prime minister questioned the opposition's logic in claiming that the country was sold through foreign investments, while at the same time Malaysian citizens and companies invested nearly RM569.5 billion abroad.

"According to the logic adopted by the opposition, I wonder which country has actually sold its dignity and sovereignty to Malaysia?

"There are certain quarters who repeatedly claimed that Malaysia is a failed state and as long as I can remember, they have been doing so for decades," he added.

Najib said the opposition leaders should use their common sense and judge for themselves the confidence foreign leaders had in Malaysia, especially with the visits from heads of state, including the President of France, King of Saudi Arabia, President of the Philippines, President of the United States and Prime Minister of Singapore over the past couple of years.

Besides, Najib said Malaysia was well received during his official visits to China, Japan, Indonesia, Germany and many other countries.

"In fact, from all the visits, we have managed to forge cooperation which will benefit Malaysia, like the agreement worth RM31 billion with Aramco and the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) worth RM144 billion with China for instance.

"According to the facts given, is it apt to call Malaysia a failed state as bandied about by the opposition?" asked the prime minister, who is now on a six-day official visit to India.

Najib said his official visits differed greatly from any overseas missions carried out by the opposition leaders as the federal government adhered to the four main agenda, including to enhance bilateral cooperation and explore new opportunities; and also to strengthen diplomatic ties.

He said the official visits would also open more room for investments and create opportunities for Malaysian companies to spread their wings overseas; as well as to lure foreign investments to Malaysia.

In conjunction with his visit to India, Najib hoped that more efforts could be taken to realise Malaysia's potential, and that his main focus now was to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two country.

"I believe that the Malaysian delegation, from the top-level management to the young officials would work hard in ensuring success of the visit, not only in strengthening the ties, but also in achieving results that will benefit our people.

"Let us pray for the success of the official visit to India and the success of our efforts to further develop our beloved country, Malaysia, Insya-Allah," he added. -- Bernama