Malaysian industrial estates, particularly the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP), can expect more investments from China after Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s visit to Beijing in April this year.

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ong Kian Ming said that at present, the only large-scale investment from China in the MCKIP was made by Alliance Steel (M) Sdn Bhd, while other investments were being processed.

“When the investments are approved, we will announce them and show our Chinese counterparts that Malaysia is still committed to attracting good quality Chinese investments,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Chinese New Year open house organised by Mah Sing Group Bhd in Bangi today.

However, Ong declined to divulge details pertaining to the prospective investments and Chinese companies currently applying to set up their operations in the MCKIP.

“Updates on Chinese investments in MCKIP will be provided to the prime minister as it is deemed as a potential area to grow Chinese investments,” he said, adding that discussions on various projects would likely be made during the Beijing visit.

Higher GDP projection

Meanwhile, Ong was cautiously optimistic that the GDP for 2019 would be higher than 4.5-4.6 percent as projected by many analysts.

He said the growth would be supported by stabilising crude oil prices, which was anticipated to range between US$60-70 per barrel this year.

“That would benefit the local oil and gas sector and enable it to continue making good contributions to the GDP growth this year,” he said.

Commenting on the 4.7 percent full-year GDP for 2018, Ong described the result as “okay,” as it was hampered by the gas supply disruption in Sabah since the second quarter of last year.

“But with the gas supply being restored to normal since September 2018, coupled with stabilised global crude oil prices, I hope the GDP in 2019 would be higher than 4.5-4.6 percent growth expected by analysts,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a statement today, Mah Sing said it had built a 10,225 sq ft Surau Tarbiah adjacent to its new mixed-residential and retail development, M Vertica in Jalan Cheras.

“Mah Sing is committed to constructing the surau to replace Madrasah Tarbiah, which is set to be demolished in 2019.

“This is to ensure the local Muslim community’s ability to congregate for prayers will never be affected by the development of M Vertica,” it said.

Strategic communications senior general manager Lyanna Tew said Surau Tarbiah would host the launch of Majlis Muhibbah Wilayah on Feb 28.

- Bernama