The federal government has never discriminated the opposition-led states in wooing investment, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

The deputy prime minister said the government investment drive was aimed at improving the well-being of the people and country, including Penang and Selangor.

He said an industrial park developed in Serendah, ​​Selangor to cater for a metal surface treatment plant for the aerospace industry was a testimony that the federal government had never marginalised the opposition-controlled states.

“The industrial area is owned by UMW Group, a subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB). It is a private sector effort, PNB and UMW,” he said when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony of a metal surface treatment plant for the aerospace industry at the UMW High Value Maunufacturing Park there today.

Ahmad Zahid said if there were claims that the influx of foreign direct investment was due to the power vested “in this person helming the state”, who was not from the ruling party at the federal level, then today’s evidence proved otherwise as he was not instrumental in bringing the RM200 million investment.

Present were International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed and Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan, who is also Hulu Selangor member of Parliament.

Ahmad Zahid said the development brought to the UMW High Value Manufacturing Park would enable the state government to “ride piggyback” on the federal government's efforts.

"So, let's not claim that this 'foreign direct investment' resulted from their efforts. This high-tech development should have been taken to Jeli (the parliamentary constituency of Mustapa) and Bagan Datuk (the parliamentary constituency of Ahmad Zahid).

"Instead it becomes an iconic area in Hulu Selangor. So, I hope the MP (member of Parliament) and the state assemblyperson of the area will not allow this place to change hands," Ahmad Zahid said. - Bernama