A BN leader has called on both sides of the political divide to stop politicking and find solutions to the worsening economic situation of the country.

Gerakan national legal and human rights bureau chief Baljit Singh said today, politicians from all parties seemed to focus more on fighting each other than on how the rakyat was suffering.

He said the country was in a dire situation with the ringgit opening lower against the US dollar at 3.92 today while the KLCI index slumped to 1,670 - both are at their worst in the last 17 years.

“The rakyat is suffering, who is going to do anything about it?” Baljit asked.

“Things are really bad on the ground but everyone is politicking and nobody is solving the economic or bread and butter issues,” he added.

Speaking to Malaysiakini , Baljit ( photo ) said it was time for both sides to 'cease fire' and time for all parties to put the nation first and politics second.

“It is no point calling themselves leaders if they are only concerned with grabbing political power and not considering the most important thing - the welfare of the rakyat,” he said.

Asked if his comment was directed to his comrades in Gerakan as well, Baljit said, “All must work together”.

He also said if the matter was left to only one party to sort things out, nothing much would be achieved.

All are hurt

He said since the economic downturn affected states governed by BN and Pakatan Rakyat together, 'both sides of the divide must work together to find solutions to the country’s problems'.

“If the parties cannot work together politically, at least try to work together to strengthen the country’s economic situation as everyone, regardless of whether they are BN or Pakatan supporters, are hurt by the present conditions,” Baljit said.

Baljit has joined the chorus of leaders like Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who today warned the economic situation may worsen if the ringgit slides further to RM4.10 against the US dollar.

Malaysia and Najib have gained global notoriety after The Wall Street Journal reported on June 3 that RM2.6 billion was deposited into the Prime Minister’s private bank accounts by companies linked to 1MDB before the 2013 national polls.

Najib has said the money was not for his personal use and the MACC, after eight of its officials were questioned by police, issued a statement saying the money in Najib’s bank was a 'donation'.

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