VETERAN journalist and blogger Datuk A. Kadir Jasin has raised concerns that merely ensuring that the country’s economy under Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar’s leadership “would not fare worse than during administration of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin” may not be a wise target after all.
Given the fact that the country’s economic performance and ratings have not been sterling since he was sworn in as PM on Nov 24 last year, Kadir hopes that Anwar who is also the Finance Minister would consult Economic Minister Rafizi Ramli who offered the above economic outlook regularly.
Rafizi who is also the Pandan MP has reportedly said this was based on government data which showed recovery in nearly every sector except for agriculture.
“This isn’t a very encouraging prediction. Not faring worse than Muhyiddin’s doesn’t sound like a compliment to Anwar. We want the economy to perform better under him,” the former Bersatu supreme council member penned on his latest Facebook post.
“I dearly hope that the PM’s knowledge of the economy and interest in it had improved exponentially since the first time around as deputy PM and finance minister back in the 1990’s. Then he had (PM Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad as his boss and (Tun) Daim Zainuddin as his guide.”
Nevertheless, Kadir who was former editor-in-chief of the mainstream New Straits Times gave Rafizi benefit of doubt to bring Malaysia out of its economic and financial woes.
“From what I know through the media and the word of mouth, Rafizi is not only strong in economic theory but also had good working experience at home and abroad,” he pointed out.
“Thus, as Economic Minister and PKR’s deputy president, he’s indispensable to the PM. I hope (and believe) they consult each other regularly. Similarity with Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican and his fellow (Special Advisory Body to the Finance Minister) advisors.”
Additionally, Kadir said Anwar could also draw on the experience of ‘corporate raider’ and former finance minister II Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani who is the Barisan Nasional (BN) MP for Titiwangsa.
“Johari is probably the most knowledgeable in economic and commerce among UMNO leaders,” he suggested.
“There is a massive challenge ahead to Anwar’s administration with the World Bank reporting last month that the latest growth forecasts indicate a sharp, long-lasting slowdown with global growth declining to 1.7% in 2023. It isn’t a carnival time for the PM.” – April 7, 2023
