Najib baffled as ‘foreign sell-out’ projects rebranded as key investments
(Malaysiakini) – Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak said he is “baffled” to see foreign investment projects that previously caused him to be branded as selling out to the foreign power are now seen as important investments.
These include the Forest City project, for which Pakatan Harapan leaders had accused him as being the only prime minister who sells freehold land to foreigners, and the Malacca Gateway project, which Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had claimed to be proof that Najib is selling the country.
In a Facebook post last night, he noted that Water, Land, and Natural Resources Minister A Xavier Jayakumar had told the Parliament on Aug 2 that the government has no objections to selling freehold land in Forest City to foreigners.
He also quoted the Malacca Chief Minister Adly Zahari saying that port projects such as Malacca Gateway and Kuala Linggi – both which involve significant Chinese investment – are important to the state’s development and could restore it to its former glory in the Malacca Sultanate.
“I’m curious why projects that were done when I was prime minister were labelled as being selling out the country, but when done now, it suddenly becomes an important project that could bring Malacca back to the Golden Age of the Malacca Sultanate – even though the projects had not changed in terms of scope or shareholders. I’m baffled.
“Nevertheless, the accusations and slander had already been made. I am content and forgive those who made rash accusations against me before this.
“I’m optimistic that these projects would develop the economy and create jobs, so I pray that these projects would proceed smoothly and reach its goals,” he said.