Malaysia is averse to foreign investment. I suggest the minister in charge go down to the ground to see how difficult it is for the public, expatriates and foreign entrepreneurs to get anything done in Malaysia.

I have three examples:

Story 1: I tried to open a business in Subang Jaya and the amount of running around I had to do was absurd. I was given ‘advice’ on how to speed things up by a public officer in charge of safety measures but I refused to take note of this ‘advice’.

It has been almost four months and I am still waiting for approvals from the various government agencies. This is very sickening when you know there are illegal massage parlours and gaming shops opening without ever being caught.

Story 2: A Chinese national who was looking to set up a factory here finally gave up after six months of red tape and running around and of course, the ‘hints’. He sold his newly-purchased house at a loss and whatever he had invested for the set up was also counted as a loss.

He has taken his money and business somewhere else. He says the culture here is not favourable for business.

Story 3 : An American working for a multinational company located in Subang had a minor accident on the highway. He was at the police station and was told that he could not drive with his international drivers license and so was fined RM300.

After paying, he asked for a receipt but only got a receipt for RM150. The other RM150 was not possible as it ‘went to another department that did not issue receipts.’ He then downloaded forms from Road Transport Department’s website and then went to Putrajaya to get a new license.

He waited two hours but then at the counter he was told that he needs a company’s financial statement and that his form was ‘outdated’. He is so frustrated but we tell him, such is the Malaysian way. We have all grown to accept this inefficiency and sloppiness.

Now tell me why Malaysia is not the favourite destination for investors. Why is it that it was reported that so few professionals return to their homeland where many of their aged relatives still reside?

As an investor, will I come in with RM20 million when the MACC finds no wrongdoing when a judge and a defence lawyer for a particular case go on holiday together? Will I risk my investment when a minister in Parliament says that a lawyer caught on video boasting that he has influence over the selection of judges in the nation has done no wrong?

The nation in all its hype and sloganeering is not in good stead. Stop the spin and address the issues.