Don’t fear Singapore investments, PM tells Johor Umno

12 July 2010 , By The Star

Local leaders should not be emotional or pa-rochial about Singapore investing in the state especially in Iskandar Malaysia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“I hope branch leaders will not make statements saying that they do not like Singa-poreans investing here.”

He stressed that the country’s relationship with Singapore was getting better now and their investments here would be beneficial to both sides.

This was especially so if the investments would bring benefits to Malaysia such as better wages, higher land prices and more employment opportunities, he said.

“We cannot be carried away with emotions or be parochial as we should realise that we are in the 21st century and the country must be developed,” he said when opening the Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat Complex and Pulai Umno division meeting yesterday.

Najib also reminded Umno leaders not to be syok sendiri (self-indulgent) but to stay united and work with the other component parties in Barisan Nasional and feel the pulse of the nation.

Umno and its coalition partners should be like the People’s Action Party which had been in power until today in Singapore, he said.

Stressing on the importance of loyalty and unity, he said: “It’s like the World Cup. If the goalkeeper and the defenders have a problem, then the opponent will be able to score.”

“Likewise in Umno, we need to be able to get support from everyone. We must understand the aspirations of not just the Malays but also the non-Malays,” he said.