KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s focus for this year is economic development and promoting investment and it will bank on its three unique selling points – the multiple languages, cultures, and communal peace – to help draw more investors.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said these three elements are the country’s source of strength and help it stand out in the world.
“I believe that 2024 will be a strong year for the government, so we must focus on economic development, investments, and expanding our capability and capacity in all fields, including education, health, and culture.,” said the Prime Minister.
“This focus (on the economy) has also been endorsed by the Cabinet. It is our daily focus to ensure Malaysia will become a great nation in the region,” he said at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) Lunar New Year open house here.
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“Malaysia has the capacity; it is a peaceful country, and we have so many people who are proficient in different languages such as Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and others.
“We have such a rich culture. These are our sources of strength to attract investments.”
Prosperity calls: Anwar (third from right) tossing yee sang at the Chinese New Year celebration at Wisma MCA. He is flanked the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) and MCA president, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. Also present were (from left) MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M Saravanan, MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.—AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
Anwar added that the government was also focused on providing quality education and better health services.
Also at the event were Amanah president and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.
While wishing a happy Chinese New Year to attendees, Anwar urged Malaysians of all backgrounds to focus on the similarities between different communities.
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“Although today’s celebration is for the Chinese community, in Malaysia, the Malays and Indians will also celebrate the festive seasons of other cultures.
“This is the strength of Malaysia. We must protect this country and increase our success so that we will be great again,” he added.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said Malaysia-China relations are now at a strategic level, and the good relations between the two countries will be able to bring more investment into the country.
“We can use the long history of Malaysia-China relations to also focus on economic ties.
“China is one of the main countries that invest in this country’s economic sector. Now, we want to continue to develop that relationship, covering the fields of education, culture, and cooperation between universities and big companies,” he said.
