Foreigners in Malaysia - who gets to stay and who doesn't? | CNA Correspondent

What is the FDI flow into Malaysia from China and Korea in the last decade? If companies invest they will have expats who will crave for home foods and home services. This happened with the Japanese in early 90’s and with US in 70’s and 80’s. But then when China does it there is a big uproar by the media maybe the Chinese PR and soft culture is too weak.

Let them come. Let them trade. Let them compete.
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<br>If foreign businesses — Chinese or otherwise — can offer Malaysians better, cheaper and more efficient products and services, and they are operating legally, paying their dues and playing by the same rules, then let the market decide who wins. Yes, local SMEs and corporations may feel the pressure. Good. Competition should push us to innovate, improve and become stronger. THAT IS HOW PROGRESS HAPPENS!
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<br>And enough obsession over Chinese signage. What makes Chinese signage inherently different from English signage? The real questions are: Are they legal? Are they playing fair? Are Malaysians getting good products and services?
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<br>But there is a much bigger issue here: THIS IS A WAKE-UP CALL FOR MALAYSIA. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO REMAIN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE-INCOME TRAP.
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<br>Let others fight over low-value activities. Malaysia must MOVE UP. We should be building world-class capabilities in semiconductors, AI, advanced manufacturing, engineering, R&amp;D, digital services and other high-value industries. We should aim to become an ASEAN and global powerhouse — not merely another link in someone else&#39;s value chain.
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<br>Protect fair competition, enforce our laws and safeguard strategic industries. But don&#39;t fear competition. MALAYSIA MUST COMPETE. MALAYSIA MUST INNOVATE. MALAYSIA MUST MOVE UP THE VALUE CHAIN.<br><br>P.S. On the refugee issue, yes pls deport them if they are illegal.