Under fire over RM10b FDI loss

NST 2009/12/02

CHIEF Minister Lim Guan Eng was yesterday taken to task for turning down RM10 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) into Penang just because he could not guarantee the prospective investors 1,000 engineers.

Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya (BN-Teluk Bahang) told the state assembly that he was shocked to read about the matter and saddened that such a huge investment opportunity had been lost.

"It is implausible that we do not have or cannot find the engineers."This (decision to turn down the investors) was a very big mistake that the state government has committed.

"Dr Hilmi, who is a former Penang deputy chief minister, said the people in the state had lost out on a big investment just because Lim was not far-sighted enough.

He also said developers had been spooked by the policies introduced by Lim's administration.

He cited an example where the state approved development plans but inserted a specific condition that it could be cancelled at any time by the chief minister.

At this point, Lim stood up to clarify that this was no longer the case and the state government no longer imposed such a condition.

Lim said there was no reason for Hilmi to raise the matter as it was no longer an issue.

However, Hilmi responded that it was exactly such inconsistent policies which caused investors to worry.

"You may no longer impose such conditions but the damage is already done.

" Hilmi also touched on how the state government was allegedly delaying projects submitted by those deemed to be associated with the Barisan Nasional.

"I have heard grouses about this... I understand Perda (Penang Regional Development Authority) had submitted plans some two years ago but they have yet to be approved."

PAGE: The politicians have missed the point. The country has failed to produce the engineers required. For this reason, schools should be given the option to choose PPSMI if it feels that teachers are capable, students are able and parents are agreeable, so that competent engineers are ready for employment when such an opportunity arises again.

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