PETALING JAYA, April 14 ― Claims by the Opposition that Barisan Nasional (BN) has sold Malaysia out to China are malicious lies, according to the coalition’s strategic communications chief Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

In a statement issued today, Abdul Rahman said such claims were circulating on social media and were meant to "frighten” Malaysians.

"This is false, propaganda that is not based on facts and figures but based on malicious intent designed to create a negative perception towards BN.

"China’s total investments in Malaysia as of 2017 are worth RM65 billion, far less than the RM116.3 billion in Singapore and RM71.6 billion in Japan,” he said.

He also questioned the logic used by the Opposition in making its claims and said using the same reasoning Malaysia could be seen as having sold its sovereignty to Singapore and Japan as both countries had even more invested in Malaysia.

"As an open economy, Malaysia accepts investments from countries and this is not limited to China alone.”

Abdul Rahman further said that the country had, as of 2017, received a total of RM565 billion in foreign investment with Chinese investments only making up 11.5 per cent of that.

"Malaysia has also accepted investments from European countries including Holland, Switzerland, Germany, the UK, Denmark and the US,” he said.

"Recently Saudi based Saudi Aramco agreed to invest RM27 billion in the RAPID petrochemical project at the Pengerang Integrated Complex. I was personally involved in the negotiations with Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia Khalid al-Falih who had positive comments on Malaysia’s economy.”

Abdul Rahman urged Malaysians to be cautious before believing such rumours.

"If foreign investment to Malaysia is affected, there will not be as many jobs that can be created which will adversely impact income levels.

"The Opposition is willing to do anything to gain power including sabotaging the country’s economy and the people,” he said.

"There is not an ounce of truth in claims that BN has sold the country out to any foreign power. Do not gamble on your future or the future of our beloved homeland.”