Don't be choosy over source of investment, says Johor Sultan
Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has urged the state government not to be choosy about the sources of investments, regardless of the countries of origin of the investors.
In his speech at the opening of the Johor Legislative Assembly today, the ruler said all investors must be accorded proper treatment.
"I advise the government not to be choosy with investors coming to Johor. It doesn't matter what country they are from.
"They must all be treated properly," the ruler said in his speech, which was read out by Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim...
Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has urged the state government not to be choosy about the sources of investments, regardless of the countries of origin of the investors.
In his speech at the opening of the Johor Legislative Assembly today, the ruler said all investors must be accorded proper treatment.
"I advise the government not to be choosy with investors coming to Johor. It doesn't matter what country they are from.
"They must all be treated properly," the Sultan Ibrahim said in his speech, which was read out by Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
However, the ruler said, the government should be more discerning about the type of investments that were being sought.
He said investments should bring long-term benefits and add value to the state while being eco-friendly as well.
Of late, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has repeatedly criticised the Forest City project - a sprawling development in southern Johor, for which the clientèle are almost exclusively from China.
'No' to live telecast of sitting
Forest City is a joint venture between China's Country Garden Holdings and Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor. It has been established that Sultan Ibrahim has a substantial stake in this project.
Mahathir had raised his concerns that Forest City was designed to house 700,000 people. Since the project was catered mainly to Chinese nationals, Mahathir warned that the project would substantially alter the state's demographics and was a threat to national sovereignty.
Previously, Sultan Ibrahim had warned his subjects to not believe "lies" being peddled about the Forest City project and likened those who did to having committed treason.
The ruler also told the state legislative assembly that he disagreed with suggestions to broadcast the sitting live.
"I disagree with this proposal because I'm worried that there will be some who will take advantage of the situation to do things that would soil the image of my legislative assembly," Sultan Ibrahim added.
Related reports:
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.