PARLIAMENT | Second Finance Minister Johari Abdul Ghani does not think that the country's economy is bad, citing the expenditure of Malaysians overseas.

At the Dewan Rakyat today, Johari said despite the noise over the country's economy, Malaysians had spent over RM41 billion overseas in 2015 increasing to RM46 billion in 2016.

"If the economy is not doing well, I don't think people can afford to go overseas," he told the Dewan Rakyat today during question time for oral answers.

He, however, admitted that the issue of perception was important.

"(This happens) when the media picks up stories from retailers who complain there is no growth and that they do not obtain profits despite the higher gross domestic product (GDP)," he said.

Khalid Samad (Amanah-Shah Alam) later asked Johari whether the rakyat's grouses were mere perceptions or otherwise.

"The minister talks as though the economy is good but the rakyat complain and retail outlets close down. Not just retail outlets but hypermarkets, too (so) this is not a perception."

Khalid (photo) also claimed that Johari had indirectly admitted that the economy was bad when he gave a "long list" of actions taken by the government to tackle the rakyat's woes.

"If it is only a matter of perception, then why waste time doing all these programmes. This is an admission that the rakyat are facing economic problems," said Khalid.

Responding to Khalid, Johari said it was "difficult" to talk to someone who "does not understand the economy".

"We should send him to go for an economic course.

"When we talk about businesses, whether they have to close shop or otherwise, it does not have anything to do with the government. If a company has to close down due to weak management, what do you expect?"

To this, Khalid retorted with: "Are you saying government policy has no impact?"

Johari, however, insisted that the economy was faring well, citing the growth of retail outlets.

"In 2017, retail outlets increased from 68,000 in 2016 to 73,000 in 2017 while 73 billion items were bought online.

"I want to ask Shah Alam, give examples on specific items that have increased in price."

Citing the increase in the prices of fish and petrol, Khalid stressed that these were proof that the issue was not one of mere perception.

"This is real," he insisted.