KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 3): Approved investment inflows into the country from January to June 2024 increased to RM160 billion, representing an 18% growth compared to the same period last year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said that these investments involved nearly 3,000 new projects that will create over 79,000 job opportunities for Malaysians.

"This level of investment has been achieved with the cooperation of all agencies and ministries, such as the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) and the Ministry of Finance, as well as departments abroad like the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida)," he said in his speech at the 30th anniversary celebration of Khazanah Nasional Bhd here, Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Anwar also criticised previous political decisions that lacked transparency, which gave opportunities for several cronies to destroy a company, particularly companies that are symbols and pride of the nation, such as Malaysia Airlines.

"Due to these mistakes, the company remains a burden to us until day. Do not erase that historical fact. The decisions were made with the intention of protecting the interests of a few cronies and sidelining the interests of the nation and the people," he said.

However, the Prime Minister said that efforts to restore the national airline have been initiated by Khazanah Nasional.

"I congratulate Khazanah. But it takes time. For the government, almost every week in the Cabinet meetings, we discuss recovery and reforms; how to help save the national institutions.

"But believe it, from the government's perspective, I have told Khazanah and Malaysia Airlines that we remain completely committed to ensuring the success of the airline because it is our national airline, and it has to come back to perform," he said.

Anwar also urged the public not to discuss only the weaknesses, as there are dozens other undeniable successes, including ventures abroad — such as Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), which owns the Istanbul Sabiha Göçken International Airport.

"In my discussions with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan, he expressed his confidence in MAHB’s ability to manage and operate the important airport in Istanbul. This shows the capabilities of companies under Khazanah’s management," he said.

Hence, he hoped that these unsettling news stories can be a lesson so that political leaders especially do not interfere in the business and trade matters including companies under Khazanah’s stable.

"What I’m doing in Khazanah's board meetings is setting the policies and priorities to remind that development should emphasise the value of fairness," he added.

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