(From left) Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari; Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Chang Lih Kang; Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, ACCCIM president and 17th WCEC organising committee chairman Senator Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Representative of the WCEC founder members and secretariat and chairman of The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong Dr Jonathan Choi Koon-Shum, China Overseas Friendship Association vice president Chen Xiaojing, Minister of Transport Anthony Loke Siew Fook; and Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing at the official opening of the 17th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) on Tuesday. (Photo by Suhaimi Yusuf/The Edge)

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday that the Malaysian government is willing to learn and adapt from China to foster a conducive environment to strengthen investment in the country.

Anwar said while the policies have been implemented under the Madani framework, the government remains open to suggestions for further improvements.

“We are not here to suggest that this [Malaysia] has a perfect system and policies. We are here to govern and to learn and make the necessary adjustments [to our policies],” Anwar said in his keynote speech at the 17th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC).

“You (China) advise us (Malaysia) what else needs to be done to foster an environment that is conducive to investment and innovation,” Anwar said.

The prime minister stressed that Malaysia and China have enjoyed a long-standing bilateral relationship, underpinned by robust trade and investment ties.

“We believe that a stronger bond and strategic relations with China would not only help Malaysia but the region immensely, and we will continue to embark on that policy,” he said.

He noted that China remains Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and the fifth largest foreign investor in 2023, with total trade reaching US$98.80 billion (RM450.84 billion).

“The visit of Chinese Premier Li Qiang in June this year reaffirmed the enduring friendship and mutual respect between Malaysia and China,” Anwar added.

Li’s official visit to Malaysia in June saw a total of 14 memorandum of understandings and agreements (MOUs and MOAs), protocols and joint statements involving nine Malaysian ministries exchanged between China and Malaysia.

Read also:
PM acknowledges Malaysian Chinese community’s role in country’s socioeconomic developments 
Zafrul: World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention expected to boost trade, investments