For representational purpose only

Kangar, Perlis state, Malaysia, (NNN-Bernama) : The current economic growth and efforts undertaken by the government, including bringing in foreign investments into the country, have indirectly disprove accusations that Malaysia is going bankrupt, says Perlis state Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) Azlan Man.

He said the economic figures and reports by international bodies described Malaysia as having positive factors which could enable Malaysia to retain or exceed the more than four per cent growth.

“These are among the proof that the allegations of Malaysia going bankrupt made by certain groups that are anti-government, are not true at all,” he said at the monthly assembly of the state’s civil servants, here, today.

Also present were Perlis State Legislative Assembly Speaker Hamdan Bahari, State Secretary Ahmad Zamri Khairuddin, state executive councillors, and heads of state and federal government departments and agencies.

Azlan said the sale of Proton Holdings shares to China’s automotive company, Geely, should be viewed positively as the government could no longer afford to provide billions of ringgit in subsidy to Proton each year,

“The government definitely has interest in Proton, that is, to look after the interest of 60,000 workers of this company owned by DRB-Hicom. The automotive industry is also growing rapidly.”

Hence, he added, Proton might not be able to compete with the world’s biggest car manufacturers and for it to be saved, its shares had to be sold to a company with the capital, experience and extensive network.

On Perlis state, Azlan said a number of mega projects were being planned and would be implemented in the 11th Malaysia Plan, and the benefits would be felt in the long term.