The announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the dissolution of the 12th Dewan Rakyat to pave the way for the 13th General Election Wednesday will surely bring about a breath of fresh air to many, especially foreign investors.

Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute's centre for public policy studies chairman, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, said this was because the long delay and anticipation of the announcement has been causing uncertainty and indecision for investment and expansion.

"Now, the announcement of the dissolution has been made and hopefully the election will be held this month or otherwise the benefits of the announcement will be reduced," he told Bernama when contacted.

Meanwhile, former president of the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (MAICCI), Datuk VKK Teagarajan said the foreign investors could only speculate whether to invest in Malaysia based on the election outcome.

"The post election period will be the main criteria for the foreign investors, whether to invest or not. They surely want to see whether the democracy is practiced in the highest form after the election in order to invest," he added.