PM: Stance won’t affect foreign investments

Malaysia’s strong views on Palestine will not affect the economy or foreign investments, especially from the United States, assures Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said despite the country’s firm pro-Palestinian stance, the country managed to secure a total of RM63.02bil in proposed investments in the US, mainly from technology giants such as Google, Enovix, Microsoft and TikTok, following the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.

“I would like to give my assurance, based on the information during our four-eyed meetings or closed-door meetings, our trade ties are not affected at all.

“They know our stance and follow our statements. Many of the companies, including Muslim companies in the Bay area of the US, are aware of this.

“I also have told the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) to facilitate the companies’ participation, including those that wanted to increase their operations and move to Malaysia,” he said in reply to a question from Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading) during the Prime Minister’s Question Time.

Aminolhuda wanted to know the benefits derived by the country at the 30th Apec meeting attended by Anwar in the US recently.

Anwar added that the government through the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry had made full use of each opportunity available during Apec.

“We met with several major US investors, and it appears that priority is still given to us based on stable politics, clear economic policies, and the expedited approval process now managed by Mida,” said Anwar, who emphasised that Malaysia has made known of its fiercely pro-Palestinian views and condemned Israel’s atrocities in front of US President Joe Biden.

Anwar said he had no choice but to raise the ongoing atrocities and humanitarian crisis happening in Gaza at the 30th Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco recently.

“I have no choice but to voice out my firm views on the issue,” he said in replying to Aminolhuda, who also asked about the outcome of the Extraordinary Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Saudi Arabia regarding the Palestinian-Israeli crisis.

“While we are asked to condemn Russia in the matter of Ukraine, it seems that many remain silent on brutal killings and violence that I referred to as atrocities.

“And I mentioned this important fact – let the Western countries know that there is no longer colonial hegemony that can determine our policies and actions.

“I stated that they cannot force us to adopt their stance; and at the same time I explicitly said that we must, at the very least, stop the attacks now,” added Anwar.

The Prime Minister reiterated that Malaysia had expressed its strong views prior to the summit as it wanted concrete, tangible and effective measures from the recently concluded meeting in Saudi Arabia.

“There were also calls by some European leaders for Egypt, Jordan and other neighbouring countries near Gaza to take in Palestinian refugees, but this was rejected by Islamic countries as it will give space for Israel to continue their invasion of Gaza.

“So far, what has been done by the United Arab Emirates was to take those who are seriously injured, children and babies for treatment in Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” Anwar said.