‘Extraordinary situation’ required PM to helm Finance Ministry – Rafizi

The “extraordinary” political climate in the country has made it necessary for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to take up the finance portfolio, said newly minted Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli.

Rafizi (above), in his maiden presser as minister this morning, said the move was to not dissatisfy any component parties within the unity government.

He argued that should the finance portfolio be given to either one of the leaders in the other parties, the PKR deputy president alluded that it could be misconstrued as a threat to them and cause problems within the administration.

“In my opinion, it is a difficult decision to make because when we have our own coalitions to form the government, of course, every component (parties) would want the finance minister post.

“If someone from Harapan becomes the finance minister, it would be a problem for BN. If it is given to BN, then there will be a problem for Harapan.

“Because it’s an extraordinary situation now, therefore, for me, the right decision at this point is for the prime minister to be the finance minister so there won’t be any issues with other coalitions (in the unity government),” he said in Menara Prisma in Putrajaya today.

Anwar’s appointment as the finance minister courted backlash from various quarters considering the power that the portfolio holds.


Before Anwar, Najib Abdul Razak was the last prime minister who simultaneously held the finance ministerial position. 



Najib’s predecessors Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Dr Mahathir Mohamad also held both positions during their respective tenures.



Rafizi himself had been a strong opposer of the prime minister taking up the finance portfolio at the same time. 



While his stance had not changed for both the portfolios to be separated, Rafizi said the extraordinary times have allowed that to happen as no one coalition or party had garnered a simple majority to take Putrajaya.

“We need strong economic leadership, to be the core of the government.



“I hope we move forward and put everything in place. The situation now is an exception and not the norm.” 



Mini budget will be tabled 



In a separate development, Rafizi revealed that the government is expected to retable the national budget in the next one or two months.

He divulged that a mini-budget will be tabled in the two-day parliamentary sitting on Dec 19 and 20.

“The government will table the emoluments budget in the next sitting, and then the full budget will be tabled maybe in a matter of one to two months after that.


“We’ve gone through it, but just at the macro level, so it’s premature to (say it) now. But we are going through the process anyway because the government will be giving emolument budget in the next sitting, while the full budget will be tabled in one or two months.”

On his main priorities as the minister of economic affairs, he said the Economic Planning Unit aims to elevate the country’s income bracket.

He emphasised that a lot of focus will also be given to less endowed states with a high number of poor, and to the most vulnerable groups, economically, in the society.

“A strong focus will also be put on sustainable development goals, technology and knowledge economy.

“Looking at what the plan is, I do have it that the civil servants are trying their best and have covered all the necessary areas. What we need to ensure is there is strong cohesion from the government’s top leadership all the way down.


“This is to ensure all plans are carried out accordingly, and our message is communicated well. Then, I think we can have the momentum to ensure the country can focus on building the economy.”

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