KEDAH Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi said he had a vision of a “greater Kedah” that would be able to compete economically with developed states like Selangor.
Sanusi, who is also the Jeneri assemblyman, noted that the business community is investing in Kedah due to the state’s harmony and stability, adding that with the state enjoying strong economic growth, Kedahans would hopefully no longer need to leave the state for good job opportunities, reported FMT.
“Investors are coming into Kedah due to the harmony and stability it offers, and I am sure this will continue,” he was reported as saying to reporters after a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house for Kedahans in Shah Alam on Wednesday (May 1).
In November last year, Sanusi said Kedah had recorded RM14.6 bil in approved investments in the first half of 2023, making the state the third largest investment destination in the country after Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
He told the state legislative assembly that RM11.88 bil of the amount was foreign direct investment (FDI) while the remaining RM2.69 bil was domestic investment.
According to a New Straits Time report, Sanusi said Japan was Kedah’s largest investor during the period with RM7.38 bil, followed by China (RM4.16 bil), Singapore (RM149.5 mil), Hong Kong (RM104 mil) and the Netherlands (RM61.28 mil).
At the open house today, Sanusi went on to urge the federal government to respect the principle of federalism in developing the nation, adding that it was a collective effort between federal and state governments to develop all states in Malaysia.
“Despite the political differences, when it comes to managing states, I believe we have to be professional and act according to the principle of federalism,” he stated.
“This has to be embraced by every politician, including those in Kuala Lumpur.” – May 1, 2024
Main pic credit: Kosmo Digital
