NEW YORK – The government ecosystem needs to step up the pace and catch up with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his administration’s frenzied pace of drawing investors and improving the ease of doing business in Malaysia.
“There is no tolerance to bureaucracy,” Anwar told Malaysian journalists Friday night – his final night of a five-day whirlwind tour in New York navigating over 20 forums and meetings with business leaders, associations, foreign media and thought leaders – culminating in his maiden address as prime minister at the 78th UN General Assembly.
Responding to the enthusiastic response from global investors such as Boeing, Google, Siemens and Phillip Morris, Anwar acknowledged that the challenge will be to ensure that the government ecosystem supplements efforts to draw investors by ensuring these efforts are not in vain due to red tape and lethargy.
“One or two companies who met us said there were some delays in approvals and I was very disappointed because I had given clear instructions that we cannot delay.
“We are living in a very competitive environment. If we take six months (for approvals) another country only takes two months then we lose out. Because of this lackadaisical attitude the country loses,” Anwar explained.
Anwar’s high-powered delegation included Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa; and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
On its second day, the delegation already secured RM2 billion in investment from Alton and Top-Line Furniture.
“Malaysia is open. That is the message. We need to give due credit to the team, the ministers, the secretaries-general; the ambassador, the mission, because only through team effort can we see this kind of support and enthusiasm (from the global investment community).
“There is recognition that Malaysia is adjusting, changing for the better. The request for meetings has been so many (such as from) scholars, people in the administration and businesses.
“The challenge now is to ensure what has been decided is given fast-track direct approvals and I have assigned some ministers to ensure this is done when it comes to investments or visas for tourism, including multiple entry visas to be handled by the respective ministries like the Home Ministry of Foreign Ministry,” Anwar added.
He said the current SOP is that at every cabinet meeting on Wednesday specific issues are discussed where the respective minister will brief his cabinet colleagues, and then because of the urgency of the situation the process is fast-tracked after an initial briefing by the respective minister.
Anwar said this also extends to Malaysians abroad who wish to return home.
“It is heartening to see people who have stayed here for decades but still show so much love and affection and loyalty to their country.
“For their commitment to come back and serve we will facilitate whatever approvals necessary.
“I will not tolerate undue bureaucratic rules that hamper their intention to come back,” Anwar said.
At his last programme in New York, a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora at the Hilton Midtown with over 600 guests, a number of Malaysians who have made the United States their home asked Anwar about the possibility of coming back to serve.
They indicated their confidence in the unity government and that things are improving back home in Malaysia. – September 24, 2023