KUALA LUMPUR: The government wants Malaysia to become a high-end manufacturing destination as this will bring multiple benefits to the country and its people, says Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong.
He said the impending closure of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s factory in Shah Alam would not hamper this aspiration.
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“We made this decision as a nation... to create an ecosystem where factory workers will get higher salaries.
“We want to attract high-end industry because around us (in Asean), there is nowhere else that could become the base for a high-end manufacturing location.
“The government is determined to attract more investments and we have many targets that will be beneficial,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (March 12).
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) had asked if Malaysia was losing competitiveness in the manufacturing industry, in light of Goodyear's decision.
Liew reiterated that the move had nothing to do with Malaysia, saying that the company was doing so as part of its business plan to reduce costs worldwide by US$1bil by next year.
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“Other than Malaysia, countries where Goodyear factories will be shut down include Germany, the United States and Australia.
“The ministry is taking proactive steps to reduce the impact of the shutdown on the 550 workers,” he added.
