Anwar best person to lead Finance Ministry - Rafizi

PARLIAMENT | Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli today defended Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's decision to hold a second portfolio as the finance minister.

Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat, he said Anwar is the best person to lead the Finance Ministry where the premier can ensure government procurement projects are “really transparent”.

Rafizi (Harapan-Pandan) was answering a supplementary question by Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh), who claimed that the rakyat and analysts are not confident in Anwar's capability to revive Malaysia's economy.

Because of this, Muhyiddin suggested that Anwar should hand over the finance minister’s role to another person, to which Rafizi disagreed.

According to Rafizi, the responsibility to restructure Malaysia's economy and work towards its recovery falls on the whole cabinet.

“The duties to manage and revive the economy are not the sole responsibilities of the Finance Ministry or its minister. It is the duty of all cabinet ministers.

“For example, the power to carry out reforms in the labour market falls under the Economy Ministry and Human Resources Ministry, while the task of upgrading our country's industrial sector is with the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry,” the PKR deputy president pointed out in the Dewan Rakyat this morning.

“To explore new sectors that can spur further development, this is under the portfolios of the economy minister, the natural resources, energy and climate change minister, as well as the communications and digital minister, among others,” Rafizi added.

The minister also took a swipe at Muhyiddin, saying that Anwar is not repeating the former's mistake when in power, particularly by focusing everything on himself and ending up unable to perform well.

Rafizi stated that Anwar can focus on fiscal duties and ensure good governance among ministries by delegating responsibilities.

“This is why I believe that the best figure to hold the finance minister portfolio is the prime minister.

“(This is) … because he holds the heaviest responsibility to ensure all procurement processes (are done properly) to avoid corruption, like what happened before with our friends who were involved with the Jana Wibawa programme,” Rafizi said, referring to a slew of criminal charges against PN MPs linked to an economic programme introduced by Muhyiddin administration.

In refuting Muhyiddin's claim, the minister listed several economic achievements under Anwar's administration.

He said Malaysia has recorded quarterly economic growth for three consecutive periods which “has never happened before”, including when PN was leading the government.

“Poverty is at the lowest level today, salary increase is higher than before, the economy is growing, inflation is low.

“So, which part is Pagoh (Muhyiddin) referring to when he said the rakyat has lost confidence? Because we are seeing that the confidence is improving, including the (amount of) investments that are coming in.

“It is okay if Pagoh and PN are not confident, but don’t abuse the rakyat and investors’ names (as an excuse),” Rafizi said.

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