Opposition scaring away investors causes RM40m loss - Ahmad Zahid

The action by the opposition in scaring away Taiwanese investors, causing the country to lose RM40 million in foreign investments, is not only an act of sabotage against the country, but also to their supporters and voters.

UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said despite the difference in political ideology, the opposition should be able to differentiate and give priority to the country's interests by not deterring investors from coming to the country.

"In whatever circumstances, they (opposition) should not stop investors from coming, what more to Pengerang in Johor where we want to empower the petroleum industry.

"Like in Penang, which is under the opposition, the federal government has never discouraged investors from going to the state," he told reporters after the opening of the 2013 Umno General Assembly by party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here Thursday.

Ahmad Zahid said, the opposition's act in playing up environmental issues to sabotage efforts to empower the petroleum industry as "menjijikkan" (disgusting).

"They should support the country's oil company, Petronas. If they cannot do so, they should keep quiet and not scare away investors from coming to Malaysia," he added.

Najib, in his presidential address, said he was informed by Petronas president Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abbas on the loss of investment for the oil refinery and petrochemical integrated development project because the opposition went to the country and scare the investors.

On the floods in Pahang, Kelantan and Johor, Ahmad Zahid, who is Home Minister, said there was no need to declare an emergency yet, although the situation was more serious than in previous years.

"We will mobilise all aspects of assistance to the flood victims," he added.