[ad_1]
PETALING JAYA: The announcement by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who claimed to have a majority to form a new government, was cynically received by Datuk Seri Dr. Edward Santhara Kumar.
The deputy minister for Federal Territories said the announcement was simply a means to sabotage the nation’s economic recovery.
Santhara raised doubts about Anwar’s intentions as FTSE Russell will decide whether to keep Malaysian bonds on the World Government Bond Index (WGBI) list soon.
“The question arises, is this an attempt to sabotage Anwar in light of what the Perikatan Nasional government is doing in an effort to recover the economy by all means?
“What does Anwar accomplish after his announcement on Wednesday (September 23)?” Santhara asked on Thursday (September 24).
He added that the PKR chairman’s announcement had spooked investors and market sentiment, citing the drop in Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday.
He said the country may now face the risk of losing around RM33bil if FTSE Russell removes Malaysia from the WGBI.
He noted that FTSE Russell had decided to keep Malaysia’s bonds in the WGBI in September last year, but was monitoring the situation and is inclined to decide whether to keep Malaysia in the WGBI on Thursday.
Santhara also said that Anwar’s announcement came at a time when Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had introduced an RM7bil cash aid program under Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) 2.0 to aid the rakyat and the economic recovery of the nation.
He chided Anwar for threatening efforts to regain the nation’s economy simply because of his desire to become prime minister.
“The rakyat must assess for themselves who is properly qualified to lead the country,” Santhara said.
[ad_2]
