KUALA LUMPUR – There has yet to be any concrete outcome that can be regarded as a direct success from the appointment of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as advisor to SG4 Group Sdn Bhd (SG4), the company formed by four Perikatan Nasional (PN)-led states.
Speaking to Scoop, political analyst from the University of Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMCEDEL), Professor Awang Azman Awang Pawi, said that so far, no clear strategic direction has been announced by the SG4 states.
“There’s no joint economic development plan between the states, no collective social reforms, and not even a digital or technology plan from SG4.
“There hasn’t been a single economic or social model officially announced by SG4 that reflects any direction or the impact of Mahathir’s advisory role.
“His statements following his appointment have leaned more towards political rhetoric about the ‘Malay race being weak’ rather than outlining a clear development strategy.
“So far, there’s been no concrete output that could be considered a direct success from Mahathir’s appointment as SG4 advisor,” he told Scoop.
He added that it was widely understood that SG4 and Mahathir’s original goal was to boost economic development.
“This was also meant to ensure the four states are managed effectively. Additionally, Mahathir’s role was to connect these states with investors, such as from Japan and South Korea, with whom he has strong ties,” he said.
He further stated that the financial issues faced by Terengganu, as reported, indicate there is no resource-sharing mechanism or fiscal solidarity within SG4.
“If SG4 truly intends to become an alternative power bloc, there should be a structure like a Regional Development Fund or an interstate emergency fund. Or at the very least, coordination in cross-state investment and entrepreneurship.
“But we haven’t seen any joint intervention from Kedah, Kelantan, or Perlis to directly assist Terengganu. This shows that SG4 remains largely symbolic rather than a functioning institution,” he said.
In September 2024, the four PN-led states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis – took a joint step to share prosperity by forming SG4 Group Sdn Bhd.
These states also appointed the former prime minister as an advisor.
At the SG4 Summit in Bangi in September last year, Mahathir said that each state would hold equal interest in the company.
According to him, he company was established solely to focus on the development of the four states, and not to steer away from the federal government’s direction. – April 18, 2025