The "extremist" image of PAS is a blow to the women's movement in the country as well as having a negative impact on the economy, particularly that of Kelantan, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.

Debating the Budget 2003, Tan Yee Kew (BN-Klang) said the "extreme" image created by the Muslim-based party will drive foreign investors and tourists away from the state.

Tan was referring to the recent ban on artistes and performers on stage by the Kelantan state government which has irked several groups.

"At the end of the day, the people of Kelantan will suffer. I urge the Kelantan state government to lift the ban immediately before more damages are done," she said.

"I also appeal to our fellow members of parliament from PAS to persuade their leaders to change their stand on this matter and help preserve the spirit of Article 8(2) of the Constitution, the amendment of which has been recently passed by the Dewan," she added.

Tan said PAS has clearly violated the article which states that there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the grounds of religion, race, sex, descent, place of birth in any law or in the appointment to any office or employment.

The law also states that there shall be no discrimination in the administration of any law relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of any trade, business, profession, vocation or employment.

Parliament is into its second week of debate of the Budget 2003 which was presented by Premier and Finance Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Sept 20.

The budget has been hailed as "painless" by the government as there were no tax increases. The opposition, however, dubbed it an "election" budget.

Economic policies failure

Meanwhile, Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjung) argued that the sudden lack of direct foreign investment into the country is an indication that Malaysia has failed in its economic policies.

Chow said these policies include the much lauded capital controls, ringgit peg, increasing corrupt practices, crony capitalism, bail-outs and disregard for the country's "rule of law".

He said that the country needed FDIs in the range of RM15 billion to RM20 billion but the FDI has plunged to RM2.1 billion last year.

"The role of FDIs in the country's economic development is very important. It is difficult to picture Malaysia as an industrial economy without the participation of multinationals," he said.

"Domestic involvement cannot replace FDI which does not only bring in financial capital but new technology, market, skills and mindset," he added.

Chow said the government should not just use the excuse that the poor FDI was due to the ability of China to woo new investors because of its low labour cost.

"If this is the case, how is it that Singapore which has a high labour cost be able to record a 59 percent in FDIs worth RM34.2 billion last year, 10 times more than Malaysia?" he asked.