PARLIAMENT International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mukhriz Mahathir blamed the sharp dive in the country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) last year on the opposition, accusing them of belittling the country overseas.

“I would like to say, if the investors are not happy with Malaysia, this is triggered by the opposition. They have been actively bad-mouthing and insulting the country at various forums when they are overseas,” he said, drawing cheers from the government bench.

mukhriz mahathir khir toyo khairy jamaluddin hujah dialogue 180209 08 Mukhriz ( left ) said this today in reply to a supplementary question by Mohd Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai) on the 81 percent drop in the country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2009.

The United Nations World Investment Report 2010 unveiled in July noted that FDI had plunged 81 percent from US$7.32 billion (RM23.47 billion) in 2008 to just US$1.38 billion (RM4.43 billion) last year.

The PAS Kuala Krai MP told the Dewan Rakyat that the decrease in foreign investment was a reflection of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority’s (Mida) failure to meet its responsibilities to lure investors.

However, Mukhriz countered Mohd Hatta’s statement and said that Mida has been successful in attracting investments into the country.

The FDI plunge was in tandem with the 37 percent fall worldwide caused by the global financial crisis, he sid, pinning the blame on the opposition for “badmouthing” the country in the international arena.

Unpatriotic opposition

Unlike the oppositions in other countries, the opposition here are “different”, said Muhkriz, hinting that the others are “more patriotic and conscious of the country's image”.

“Although they do not share the same political platform and have different views, they are still patriotic because if they are to take over the government in future, they will benefit from the good things the previous government has done,” he said.

He added that Mida’s efforts has helped attract plenty of investment into the country, even into Pakatan Rakyat states.

Up to Aug 5 this year Selangor had received the most foreign investment, followed by Penang and Kedah.

“Selangor has received a total of RM5.669 billion while second place goes to Johor. This is followed by Penang, Kedah and Perak.

“This shows that BN does not use a discriminatory approach and Mida has always encouraged investment in these states,” he said.

“This is our long-term responsibility to the people, (unlike) the opposition who only place importance on short-term narrow-minded politics,” he said.