IPOH: Nga Kor Ming is willing to serve as a "bridge" between the Federal and Perak governments in strategic investment discussions, particularly involving major Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers such as BYD.
Nga, the Housing and Local Government Minister and Kepayang assemblyman, said he was prepared to do so to ensure that key investment opportunities are not diverted to other states.
"Recently, there were claims about the government imposing unfavourable conditions on BYD.
"Concerns were raised over policy conditions affecting EV investments, including export requirements and localisation rules, which have reportedly created uncertainty for some investors.
"I am willing to serve as a bridge to ensure BYD stays in Perak and does not go to other states," he said at the state assembly sitting on Monday (April 20).
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The matter was raised during oral questions on investment prospects in Perak, with emphasis on the importance of attracting high-impact deals to drive economic growth and job creation.
Nga said Perak recorded RM15.67bil in investments last year, the highest in the state’s history.
He stressed that investment is the foundation of development, noting that without it, there would be no development, jobs, income, or livelihood opportunities.
As such, he urged Perak to remain an investment-friendly state.
In response, industry and investment committee chairman Loh Sze Yee said the Perak government welcomed the suggestion, adding that it is already adopting proactive and non-traditional approaches to safeguard the state's economic interests.
Loh welcomed cooperation with federal leadership, expressing confidence that the Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers share the same goal of advancing the interests of Perak and Malaysia.
"We are open to direct engagement with the Federal Government to strengthen investment facilitation and accelerate development under the Perak 2030 agenda," he said.
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On Thursday (April 16), Loh said the Federal Government needs to reevaluate its conditions for EV companies planning to set up factories in the country.
He said there are concerns about some restrictive policies that could undermine foreign investors' confidence and damage the country's investment image.
Commenting on concerns that BYD’s plan to invest in a completely knocked down (CKD) plant in Tanjung Malim may be in jeopardy, Loh said stringent conditions need to be reassessed based on overall benefits and long-term national interests.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani had said the new automotive investment conditions are non-discriminatory and equally applicable to all high-volume automotive assembly projects regardless of brand and country of origin
He was responding to claims that the government has imposed unfavourable conditions on BYD, which is reportedly re-evaluating its plans for an assembly plant in Tanjung Malim.
