Corporate leaders should show confidence in national economy - DPM

Corporate leaders should support the government in instilling confidence in the people and investors that the economic fundamentals of the country are strong, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said currently, there were negative sentiments insinuating that Malaysia was a failed state.

"As seen in the first quarter of this year, the country registered a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 5.6 percent compared with 4.1 percent in the corresponding period last year.

"This is clearly a better performance and the country's economic fundamentals are strong due to political stability. But despite our strong fundamentals, there are analysts playing up with the negative sentiments because of their deep hatred towards the government," he said at the launch of Demak Motorcycles latest model at DNC Asiatic Holdings, here, today.

Also present were Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and DNC Asiatic Holdings chairman Datuk Seri Feona Sim.

The deputy prime minister said the GDP growth of 5.6 per cent did not drop from the sky but was achieved through the tireless efforts of the national leaders and the commitment of relevant ministries and agencies as well as the corporate sector's unwavering faith.

Ahmad Zahid also reminded local industry players that without the help and support of the government, it was impossible for the nation including the business and industrial sectors to perform well right now.

"Rest assured that Putrajaya wants to see the economy strengthened regardless where the investments are being made (including opposition-controlled states). Without the help of Putrajaya (federal government), this success is impossible to achieve.

"We have to appreciate the efforts contributed by MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) and MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority)," he said.

At the event, Ahmad Zahid also witnessed the signing of an agreement of cooperation between Demak Green-Tech Sdn Bhd (Demak), a subsidiary company of DNC Asiatic, and Qingdao Aucma Import & Export Co. Ltd. (Qingdao Aucma), the biggest producer of refrigerators in Shandong Province, China.

-- BERNAMA