PM Anwar rejects ‘anti

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sought to fend off any suggestions that he is "anti-Kedah", saying that he had brought in German chipmaker Infineon Technologies AG to invest RM25 billion in the PAS-controlled state,

The Pakatan Harapan chairman pointed out that he is prime minister of the whole country and tries to be fair to all states by bringing in investments nationwide, Berita Harian reported today.

"I am anti-Kedah? I brought RM25 billion investment to Kedah. They say Anwar hates Kedah, he gives all to Penang. I also give to Johor, to all states, I am prime minister of Malaysia.

"For Kedah, I bring Infineon which agreed to add on RM25 billion investment, the largest outside of Germany. Where? Kulim? Which state? Kedah," Anwar, who is also finance minister, was quoted as saying in a speech at the Ceramah Mega Jelajah Perpaduan Madani in Baling, Kedah last night.

Separately, national news agency Bernama quoted Anwar as saying at the same speech that it is "incorrect" to say he is against Kedah as he cited Infineon's investment.

Anwar announced Infineon's plan to build a factory in Kulim, Kedah two days ago, after a discussion with its chief operating officer Rutger Wijburg on July 24.

The PM added that the chipmaker has plans for an additional investment of €5 billion (RM24.9 billion) over the next five years.

Anwar had said that Infineon had over the past five decades made Malaysia an important hub via its wafer fabrication facility in Kulim in Kedah and semiconductor chip packaging activities in Batu Berendam in Melaka.

Infineon is Germany’s largest semiconductor manufacturer and is one of the 10 largest semiconductor makers in the world, and has been operating in Malaysia since 1973.