Wise approach from Mahathir can benefit Malaysia and China
Since being returned as prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad has allowed pragmatism to prevail and he is all for Chinese investment as long as it is for the good of the nation
China and its neighbours need to keep ties on an even keel, for the sake of their economic and diplomatic well-being. Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad may have given a different impression during hotly contested elections, but since his surprise return to the prime minister’s job, pragmatism has prevailed.
He encourages Chinese investment, although stresses it must be on terms that benefit his nation. The positive outlook inspires confidence that smooth ties can be assured. Mahathir told the South China Morning Post he welcomed foreign investment that added jobs at all levels, transferred technology and skills and improved the global environment for Malaysian products.
Lopsided deals, he argued during electioneering, were wrongly agreed with Chinese companies by Najib Razak, his predecessor, and were not in his country’s interest as there were few, if any, benefits for Malaysians.
He praised Jack Ma Yun, whose Alibaba Group, which owns the Post, opened its first Southeast Asian office in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. The Chinese entrepreneur pledged technology transfers and training for local young people, prompting Mahathir to contend he was giving Malaysia the type of investment that it needed.
