PETALING JAYA: Deputy Finance Minister Chua Tee Yong today dismissed claims by the Opposition that foreign investors are packing their bags and leaving the country due to the lack of confidence in the country.

Chua said the amount of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country has in fact, gone up.

“That is not all. The Sarawak state election shows Sarawakians also know who to vote for to run the country,” he told Parliament today.

Chua was replying to questions from Annuar Musa (BN-Ketereh) and Hatta Ramli (Amanah-Kuala Krai) on the country’s performance on the global economic landscape.

Chua said FDI was RM43 billion last year, compared to RM35 b in 2014.

The FDI in the first quarter of this year also stood at RM15 b, compared to RM9.9 b in the corresponding period last year.

“If it is true foreign investors do not have confidence, the numbers will go down, but here, the numbers have gone up,” said Chua.

Chua also said world oil prices had been stabilising since last month – averaging USD42 and USD45 per barrel.

“With the oil prices stabilising, the government will look at reducing the rakyat’s burden and look at ways to stimulate the economy,” added Chua.

He also said Sarawakians had chosen the right party to run the country as there was a lot of infighting among Opposition parties.