“You can invest overseas but what is needed is to refocus investments back into Malaysia. The time is now,” he said at an iftar event attended by over 300 people comprising Malaysian businesspeople and China’s Muslim community leaders.

The event was held in conjunction with Anwar’s official visit here this week.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, called on the ministers accompanying him on the visit to do the necessary on foreign investment.

“My message is clear. We must do whatever is required and necessary to facilitate and ease the doing of business in attracting more investments into the country,” he said.

Anwar had a meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping earlier today. He said he was impressed by the humility shown by the senior statesman.