Johor hopes the new federal govt will be professional in its approach, says state rep
KULAI, Nov 23 — The Johor government hopes that the new federal administration will be professional by prioritising the people’s interests, as well as that of the states and country, ahead of politics.
Johor Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Lee Ting Han said although the state and federal governments are not from the same political coalition, it is hoped that the difference will not cause any issues.
He said that this is because the benefits received by the state will also be felt by the entire country despite the different administration at the state and federal levels.
“We also hope that the mega projects that are planned and currently being implemented will continue for the sake of mutual benefit.
“In terms of investment, there are two tiers, namely approval at the state level and approval at the federal level. With that I believe the newly-established federal government will be professional in their approach,” said Lee to reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony for Sun Bus Tech’s headquarters and manufacturing facility at Senai Airport City here today.
He was commenting on the ongoing political impasse that have seen the country’s stocks and the ringgit take a hit and possibly have negative implications for the economy.
This followed last Saturday’s 15th general election (GE15) outcome that saw Malaysia’s first-ever hung Parliament after none of the participating coalitions succeeded in securing a simple majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
Lee, who is also the Paloh assemblyman, acknowledges that there are large foreign investors who are still taking a wait-and-see approach due to the current political developments in the country.
At the state level, he said his office will convince the investors that the state government is stable and will continue to render assistance for the investments.
“However, we do admit that there are investors who have inquired on the current political situation before they made any decision.
“Personally, I can say that the interest of foreign investors here is still going strong due to several factors, including political stability following the large mandate received in the state election in March and also Johor’s strategic location,” he said, adding that the sectors that have been the main focus for foreign investments are in pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals and data centres.
Meanwhile, Lee said the Sun Bus Tech’s bus manufacturing facility will start work for the construction of a green technology bus body at a cost of almost RM80 million.
He explained that the factory is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year and will provide more than 200 job opportunities in its first phase, before being expanded to the second and third phases.
“The products produced by this facility will be exported to several international destinations, including Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand,” he said.
