The government invests in a more inclusive future through large-scale infrastructure projects, Finance Minister II Johari Abdul Ghani said on Thursday, 22 March.

Speaking at the launch of the Finance Ministry's annual open day, he said that Putrajaya was being strategic and prudent in investing in projects like the East Coast Railway Link (ECRL) and the Pan-Borneo Highway "ahead of time”.

"I know many people are very sceptical but let me share with you the theory of investing ahead of time.

"When we invest in these large infrastructure projects, we must invest at the right time... the right time is when people trust you, when people trust your economic system and when you still have a good rating among international rating agencies.

"We can wait, we can keep our money first… (but) by the time you are ready with the money, the cost may not be the same as if you do it today.

"The cost may be triple or quadruple (then)" he said at his ministry's Putrajaya headquarters this morning.

Having such physical infrastructure in place would engender more "inclusive” economic development, Johari added.

"You cannot bring inclusivity if you don't have efficient connectivity... everything has to be connected easily, from Perlis to Johor and to Sabah and Sarawak.

"When you invest ahead of time and build the economy with infrastructure (in place), everyone benefits" he said.