The business community, including developers and contractors, are optimistic about a more favourable business environment and better growth opportunities in the country despite the Opposition’s victory in Saturday’s general election.
Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) president Ng Seing Liong said the Opposition’s success in forming the state governments in Selangor, Penang, Kedah and Perak proved democracy in Malaysia was very much alive and this augured well for the country’s image internationally.
“It is important to respect the wishes of the people. By implementing policies that are prudent and for the benefit of all Malaysians, especially the hardcore poor irrespective of race, the country’s competitiveness in the world arena will be further enhanced. This will be a fertile ground to attract foreign investments,” Ng said.
He said infrastructure projects approved for these Opposition-held states under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), including the second Penang bridge and the Penang monorail project, should proceed for the good of the people.
SP Setia Bhd group managing director and chief executive officer Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin said in the long term, businesses in the country would benefit as foreign investors would have confidence in the sanctity of Malaysia’s democratic system.
“Concerns about the lack of transparency and corporate governance will be addressed and Malaysia’s competitiveness as a whole will be improved. This was a great general election. It proved that democracy is alive and well in our country. It showed the maturity of Malaysia as a nation,” he said.
On the new state governments, Liew said: “We believe the DAP and PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) are pro-business and pro-development.
“The difference might be in the methodology of implementation with a focus on greater transparency, openness and accountability. We think all businesses will need time to adjust to this change of leadership in these states.”
He said Penang urgently needed a major infrastructure boost and the new state government should help the Federal government.
On SP Setia’s prospects, he said the company’s credentials, as an award-winning developer, would stand it in good stead.
“Our projects are of high-quality standards and we build townships that are in tune with the environment. We create vibrant communities that cater to the needs of the people. We also have a charitable foundation, the SP Setia Foundation which is dedicated to helping those in need and improving society’s welfare,” Liew said.
Mah Sing Group Bhd president Datuk Sri Leong Hoy Kum believed that businesses would continue to grow as the Government would push for economic growth and the well being of the people.
“The country will continue to attract foreign investments, which will be positive for the commercial sector where there is a shortage of Grade ‘A’ office in prime locations. In this respect, the projects under the 9MP will be implemented as scheduled,” Leong said.
Master Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM) president Patrick Wong said the construction fraternity looked forward to more positive changes and expected to see more quality development projects being approved.
“All MBAM members should look out for these new projects while those already being awarded projects earlier need not worry as the Government has given the assurance that they will proceed as planned,” Wong said.
He said the Opposition had given their promise to do more for the people and raise the quality of life, adding that local councils in Selangor and Penang had the funds to do more for the rate payers.
“We are also of the opinion that infrastructure projects, including the second Penang bridge, Penang Outer Ring Road and the Penang monorail project, will be implemented as planned,” he said. - By The Star
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