PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged civil servants and related government agencies to emulate Saudi Arabia, which is proactive and efficient in making decisions to approve investments.
Sharing his experience during his recent official visit to Riyadh, the Prime Minister praised Saudi Arabia's efficiency in managing matters related to investment to boost the country from an economic point of view.
He said he witnessed this himself during a meeting with the ACWA Power company together with Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and officials from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida).
"In terms of efficiency, Saudi Arabia used to be one of the slow countries. At a recent meeting with ACWA Power at around 9 to 9.30 in the morning, they told me their interest (to invest) and I also expressed my commitment.
"Because this is a government-linked company, they needed the final approval from the Prime Minister who is also the Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman.
"At 8pm on the same day before I left for home, they gave us the green light to continue the investment," he said when delivering his message at the monthly meeting of the Prime Minister's Department here today.
Also present was Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Anwar said he was impressed with the level of approval implemented in Saudi Arabia which needed to be emulated in this country.
"That's why I want to urge my friends, especially government (related) companies and civil servants to understand (what needs to be done)," he said.