KUALA LUMPUR – Supporters of Perikatan Nasional (PN) have been told not to get too excited over claims that the Kedah menteri besar succeeded in drawing a mammoth investment by Infineon Technologies AG (Infineon) of Germany to Kulim Hi-Tech Park in the state.
According to Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, all projects implemented at that industrial park, where numerous electronics multinationals have set up their plants, are under the federal government.
He said that it thus covers previous and recent investments made by the company.
Rafizi dismissed any notion that the investment worth RM25 billion was due to the efforts of Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who is presently menteri besar on a caretaker basis as the assembly has been dissolved and state election is scheduled for this Saturday.
Sanusi, who is PAS elections director, is campaigning to retain his government in Kedah.
He reportedly claimed that he had been informed by Infineon about the new investment in advance last year when he had officiated a launch at the current factory. He said the company had then asked for land behind the site.
“PN supporters are making noise about Infineon. (They) are saying that Sanusi has done all the work and that Infineon has been in Kedah for a long time,” said Rafizi.
“To PN supporters, don’t get too excited,” he said sarcastically through a message on Twitter.
Rafizi, who is PKR’s deputy president, stated this in response to Sanusi’s claim that he was the individual responsible for approving the investment.
Penyokong PN tengah riuh pasal Infineon. Kata ini semua kerja Sanusi dan Infineon dah lama di Kedah.
— Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) August 6, 2023
Kepada penyokong PN, jangan teruja lebih.
-Segala projek dalam Kulim Hi Tech adalah di bawah Kerajaan Persekutuan termasuklah pelaburan terdahulu dan terkini oleh Infineon.… pic.twitter.com/ztbUNHhazt
It was earlier reported that semiconductor firm Infineon will construct the world’s largest power fabrication plant in Malaysia as part of its expansion plans.
Anwar announced that he had secured almost €5 billion (RM25 billion) to be spent over the next five years from the global semiconductor manufacturer for its current plant’s expansion.
He had said this after meeting Bumiputera entrepreneurs at Bertam Resort in Kepala Batas, Penang last Saturday.
Investment tied to solar generation capability
Criticising Sanusi for his claim, Rafizi said that the Infineon headquarters needs to ensure a high amount of solar energy capacity generation is available, as required by its semiconductor-based business operations.
“Owners or investors in companies like Infineon are mostly in European countries that are now very concerned about environmental protection,” he said as reported by Getaran, the Malay-language sister portal of The Vibes.
“Their company operations must comply with the rules to prevent climate change, which is now a global warming issue. In short, they were looking for company operations that use high renewable energy such as solar,” he said.
Rafizi pointed to two important documents launched by him and Anwar, namely the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the Madani Economy framework, which are able to attract new investments.
“Our focus is on solar and renewable energy. The more solar capability, the more large companies want to enter Malaysia because they are indeed looking for a country that can supply solar energy as part of their environmental commitment,” he said.
He said that the investment amounting to RM25 billion by Infineon was clearly related to the Madani Economy plan designed by Anwar’s government.
“Our plan is to make Malaysia the largest solar generator in the Southeast Asian region.
“I hope PN supporters understand that the additional investment would not have happened just because Sanusi is grinning,” he sarcastically said. – The Vibes, August 7, 2023
