KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s latest government bashing is due to his jealousy over Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s ability to secure multi-billion dollar investments with China, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz asserted today.

The tourism and culture minister put down the former prime minister’s remarks as seeking to undermine the current administration’s achievements out of spite, because Najib accomplished what he failed to accomplish during his 22 years in office.

"I think Dr Mahathir is thinking about his time as PM or minister. That time China was a communist country but now China is different.

"The China now is different from before. He is jealous I think. He doesn't like this because he keeps on saying investor confidence is lost and we are going to be bankrupt," Nazri told reporters in the Parliament lobby here.

He added that it is not easy to secure the almost RM144 billion worth of investments, even from a country like China.

"When China wants to invest that much in Malaysia, [it] shows that China is confident [in] how PM is running the country,” Nazri said.

The Padang Rengas MP also said Najib has given his assurance to the Cabinet that Malaysia will not compromise its sovereignty by taking in China’s investments.

"Datuk Seri Najib has told me that investment is investment but sovereignty is sovereignty. There is no compromise on issues like the South China Sea. That is what you call a leader.

"Maybe Mahathir has weak principles, when people invest he might give in. But, Najib is a principled man.

"Even if they invest, but the question of Malaysian sovereignty doesn't arise. Maybe if it was Mahathir it would be different," Nazri said.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also dismissed separately Dr Mahathir's criticism against the government’s investment achievements.

"What has been done by the Chinese investors gives profit in returns and economic growth of the country.

"I hope this kind of interpretation should be avoided as this is common practice for countries to need foreign investment," he told reporters.

Najib led a Malaysian trade delegation to China in a recent six-day long visit that saw nearly RM144 billion worth in investment agreements sealed.