"Malaysia Is Considered A Formidable Competitor" — Thai Media On The Country's FDI Success

In an 11-minute news segment aired last Monday, 7 October, the 24-hour news channel discussed Malaysia's success in securing billions of ringgit in investments from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, and Microsoft.

"For example, in Thailand, we try to be like that but if we look at our competitors in attracting money from abroad, Malaysia is considered as a formidable competitor.

"If we take a look at big tech companies from overseas, they announced that they will invest in data centres in Malaysia and Thailand.

"We can see that big tech companies have a clear vision and have invested more in Malaysia than in Thailand," said news anchor Sopon Navarattanapong.

He said Malaysia attracted 343 billion baht (about RM44 billion) from the three tech companies, while Thailand attracted 198 billion baht (about RM25 billion). 

Sopon and his co-anchor Chayathip Lojanakosin mentioned that AWS, Google, and Microsoft invested USD6.2 billion (RM26 billion), USD2 billion (RM9 billion), and USD2.2 billion (RM10 billion), respectively, in Malaysia.

They noted that the amount is significantly more than what Thailand received.

The figures aligned with those announced in early October by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but the segment comparing both countries did not include Oracle's investment in Malaysia, which is the largest at USD6.5 billion (RM27 billion).

Sopon and Chayathip continued the segment by explaining why Malaysia is a more favourable option, citing its commitment to green energy and lower electricity costs.

"33 months ago, the ringgit was completely neglected [by the world]. It looked like garbage. PMX is great!" wrote a netizen.

"PMX is true (sic), the rising of the ringgit is also true," said a TikTok user, while another said, "Proud to be a Malaysian, [seeing so many news outlets talking about Malaysia]. Long live, PMX."

Watch the clip below: