Anwar took finance portfolio to foster confidence in the economy

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he took the Finance Ministry portfolio because he wanted to foster confidence in the country’s economy with the local businesses and foreign investors.

In his press conference earlier, he had announced the current cabinet list, including himself as the finance minister.

“I am not inclined (to the portfolio), but I want to start with an approach and policies (that will) give confidence to the local businesses and foreign investors in the economy.

“I think at this initial stage, let me continue and be assisted by a solid team consisting of civil servants and advisers who will not burden the government’s finances,” Anwar said during the question and answer session at the press conference today.

His cabinet list consists of 15 ministers from Pakatan Harapan, including himself, six from BN, five from GPS, one from GRS, and one who is the current Chief Judge of the Syariah Judiciary Department. 

Previously in the 2018 general election, Pakatan Harapan had pledged in its manifesto that the prime minister would not hold another portfolio concurrently.

The last time Malaysia had a prime minister who was also the finance minister was during Najib Abdul Razak’s administration.

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