TTF: We are awe-inspired by your accomplishments, Jack Ma, we truly are. Unfortunately, our Prime Minister only gets awe-Inspired every time someone Japanese stands in front of him. You’re not likely to go as far as you think you can with him no matter who you are or what you do.
The reason being, the Look East policy that almost crippled our economy in the nineties is back in town. And we’re talking the very policy that led to Proton entering a terribly lopsided deal with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, a Japanese car manufacturer that sold us backdated technology at (then) present day prices. Yes, I’m referring to that Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.
Despite China being the world’s largest economy by purchasing power parity, Mahathir prefers doing business with anything Japan as his cronies are affiliated with Japanese corporations offering lucrative bargains for every project ventured. Mahathirism is all about cronyism – our Prime Minister will only work closely with you if you’re willing to help him fund the next UMNO election.
So you see, you’re flogging a very, very dead horse here. I suggest that you head straight over to Singapore and try doing business with Lee Hsien Long instead. Chances are, he’ll sign you a very lucrative deal that’d bring Alibaba straight to the next level.
KUALA LUMPUR: Internet entrepreneur and billionaire Jack Ma called on Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Perdana Putra Complex today.
The executive chairman of Alibaba Group, a former English teacher who founded what would become China’s largest Internet company, met Dr Mahathir prior to the launch of Alibaba’s office here later today.
Ma is scheduled to launch the office in Bangsar South.
Alibaba Group is a holding company with nine major subsidiaries: Alibaba.com, Taobao Marketplace, Tmall, eTao, Alibaba Cloud Computing, Juhuasuan, 1688.com, AliExpress.com and Alipay.
It was earlier reported that Ma had met Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng over an informal dinner on Sunday night.
Source: NST Online
