Federal Government ensures fair development for all states, rejects claims of political discrimination in investment and funding decisions.
SEGAMAT: The federal government does not practise political discrimination or marginalise any state in channeling allocations and bringing in investments, instead it ensures that the benefits of development are enjoyed fairly by all people, said senior political advisor to the Prime Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
Tengku Zafrul who is also the chairman of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), said the commitment was proven when Johor recorded a high market investment of RM110 billion last year, thus showing that the government prioritises the economic potential and development needs, not the political colour of a state.
“For example, when we as MIDA go to Tokyo, Osaka, China, or Seoul, we never say bring (investment) to Selangor or bring it to Penang just because those two states are under PH (Pakatan Harapan) administration. We do not see it from that angle.
“What is important is for us, is to make sure that this development is felt by all Malaysians,” he told Bernama after attending an Engagement Meeting with Segamat district industry players here today.
Tengku Zafrul said this in response to the perception by some quarters that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PH chairman, is focusing on the northern part of the state to campaign in conjunction with the Johor state election only because of certain political motives compared to the southern region.
He explained that the frequency of working visits by the federal government leadership to the northern part of Johor is an official recognition to bridge the development gap as the area has received less attention before.
“To be fair, the Prime Minister is focusing on all states and all parts of Johor, not just the north or the south.
“But it is a recognition by the Prime Minister that this northern area has received less support or attention from the Johor State Government before. That is why we are starting a series of tours in northern Johor to show that we want development at every level and area,” he said.
Tengku Zafrul said the claim that the federal government is marginalising the state administration is just a political statement aimed at creating a negative perception.
He said that the success of the extraordinary economic boom in Johor at the moment is driven by close cooperation between the federal government and the state.
Johor will be going to the state polls with voting on July 11, while the early voting is on July 7.
