Lim, explain economy and Icerd

MCA takes Guan Eng to task as he approaches yearend in government

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA leaders are training their guns on Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, asking him to come clean on the state of the economy as well as the stance of DAP over the government’s decision not to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).

“As the yearend is approaching, prices in department stores keep soaring while businessmen are faced with the pressures of a depreciating ringgit, difficulties in the recruitment of foreign workers and the outflows of foreign capital.

“They lament the tough times that businesses have to endure,” said party deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

He said Lim and fellow DAP leader, Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, should not merely relax in the comforts of an air-conditioned office but “travel to regional areas, listen to the residents, and observe and understand first hand the hardships encountered”.

“Hear the voices of smallholders involved in the palm oil and rubber industries as well as exporters,” he said.

Dr Mah added that in October this year, the World Bank had reassessed and lowered Malaysia’s economic forecast from 5.4% prior to the May 9 general election to 4.9%.

“Bursa Malaysia has generally been bearish on the economic outlook for Malaysia next year. The recent report by the World Bank forecasts the Pakatan Harapan government will have to scale down or cancel some large-scale projects.

“A slowdown in the global demand will also stymie Malaysia’s economic growth and reduce the GDP for the next three years.

“Malaysia’s GDP target growth rate has been lowered from 4.7% in 2019 to 4.6% in 2020, falling far below the official 4.9% target,” said Dr Mah in a press statement yesterday.

He said the slowdown should ring alarm bells for Lim.

“Although trade export figures for October 2018 shone bright, economists generally believe that they are only short-lived, and subsequent exports growth will dim. However, the Bagan MP remains oblivious.

“The government’s excessive reliance on oil revenue is abundantly clear in Budget 2019.

“Economic experts believe that depending solely on oil revenue will create higher risks and pressures on the country’s fiscal management.

“It is obvious that it is necessary for the PH government to draw up long-term plans to increase income and strive to achieve diversification of Malaysia’s sources of income,” said Dr Mah.

In Butterworth, Bagan MCA division calls on DAP to state its stance over the government’s decision not to ratify Icerd.

Its chairman Dr Tan Chuan Hong said being the second largest party in the ruling coalition with six Cabinet ministers and seven deputy ministers, the DAP owed the public an explanation.

“The DAP has always championed human rights issues, especially those involving the Chinese community.

“We want to hear from DAP secretary-general Lim, on the government’s move not to ratify the treaty and how DAP has struggled to convince the government in signing the treaty.

“Please explain to the people. Otherwise, apologise to the public,” he said in a statement yesterday.

It was earlier reported that Lim was quoted as saying that the DAP would leave the issue to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said the DAP would not want to be drawn into a racial debate by certain political parties.

To this, Tan said the DAP had gone against the Pakatan Harapan manifesto in the 14th general election.

He said the DAP had failed in its promise 26, which stated that the Pakatan government would make the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia a body that is highly regarded and respected.