Stop politicking and fix economy, urges Mohamad

Malaysia needs a “confidence vote” and a radical plan to ensure its economy continues to remain resilient, says Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic).

The former three-term Negri Sembilan mentri besar said Malaysians are too busy politicking that they have failed to realise the country is facing major crises – the novel coronavirus outbreak to depressing crude oil prices and Malaysia’s trade problems with India.

“We do not seem to have a plan which is crisis-proof to resolve these problems.

“We also do not have a team which is credible enough to help stimulate the economy.

“Malaysia actually needs a confidence vote,” he said in a statement.

Although Mohamad did not specifically refer to it, the Prime Minister’s succession plan and PAS’ decision to table a vote of confidence in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has gripped the local political scene in recent days.

Mohamad said the coronavirus outbreak would surely have crippling effects on the global economy.

“Our economic growth will also slow down and tourism and services will be greatly affected,” he added.

He also said Malaysia’s trade issues with India are also likely to continue.

“What is certain is that Pakistan cannot be a substitute to our trade with India,” he added.

Dr Mahathir had criticised India’s actions in the Kashmir region and its new citizenship law. India is the largest importer of Malaysian palm oil.

Mohamad said the economy was also facing uncertainties after the price of crude oil took a beating and was not trading as forecast in Budget 2020.

“If Malaysia fails to tackle these issues, then there will be questions of its capability and we will continue to be just another developing nation.

“Foreign investors are now extremely cautious and not confident due to the middle and longterm political instability in the country,” he said.

Mohamad said the people have also yet to see any agenda on the implementation of the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV), a Pakatan Harapan government-led blueprint for the direction of the country in the next decade.

The SPV 2030, a continuation of Vision 2020, was launched in October last year and is aimed, among others, increasing the incomes of all ethnic groups and upskill Malaysians in various sectors.

It also aims to provide a decent standard of living to all Malaysians and make Malaysia the new “Asian Tiger”.

Faced with these problems, Mohamad urged all Malaysians to stop politicking.

“Malaysia needs solutions to the many problems we are facing now.

“And the solutions are with all of us and not with the select few,” he said.