Netizens have raised questions about the absence of Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli in the crucial meeting.
Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s presence at yesterday’s meeting on Malaysia’s economy chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim shows the current government’s openness, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said today.
In discouraging speculation about the matter, Khaled, who is also an Umno vice-president, reportedly said: “Do not read too much into it. The government led by Anwar is showing its openness to meet and accept views from various quarters.
“This is why he (Anwar) invited Khairy to the meeting and I believe Khairy will use such an opportunity to deliver his views on how to fix and improve Malaysia’s economy,” the Kota Tinggi MP was quoted saying by local daily The Star.
Yesterday, Anwar in a Facebook post said he had held discussions that day with economists, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Khairy regarding Malaysia’s economy.
Anwar said the meeting was part of the government’s ongoing efforts to obtain ideas and views on the economy, but did not state what role Khairy played in the meeting.
Johari, who is also one of Umno’s three vice-presidents, was previously the second finance minister during Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration.
Others present at yesterday’s meeting were Malaysian Economic Research Institute (MIER) chairman Nungsari Ahmad Radhi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Malaysian Inclusive Development and Advancement Institute (MINDA-UKM) director Tan Sri Noor Azlan Ghazali, Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican and Economy Ministry secretary-general Datuk Nor Azmie Diron.
Khairy was sacked from Umno in January this year, and remains unaffiliated to any political party since then.
In a Facebook post, Anwar said the meeting was part of the government’s ongoing efforts to get ideas and views on the national economy.
“The discussion also touched on new growth areas and methods to strengthen the investment ecosystem” he said in the post.
Among those at the meeting were Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) chairman Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi as well as MIER board members Prof Tan Sri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali, Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican and Economy Ministry secretary-general Datuk Nor Azmie Diron.
“All the views shared will be used to form the Madani Economic Narrative being drafted to shape the direction of the country’s economy in the medium and long-term,” said Anwar.
He said that any reform requires discipline, patience, confidence and courage to do new things and make tough decisions for the benefit of the people and the country
“The economists also agreed we have limited time to solve the problems or challenges plaguing the country’s economy and bring Malaysia back on track,” added Anwar.
Khairy, who was sacked from Umno earlier this year, is supposed to meet Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin soon to give his decision on the offer to join the party.
Meanwhile, netizens have raised questions about the absence of Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli in the crucial meeting and have pondered why Khairy was invited to participate.
One Facebook user, Brendan Chin, commented on a New Straits Times post, asking: “Why isn’t Rafizi in the meeting since it is about the economy? Why KJ? What ideas can he contribute to building the economy? All he’s done this year is criticising everyone in the unity government.”
Nicholas Lee wrote: “(This is) an indication that the economy minister is not good enough.”
“Where is Rafizi Ramli? The meeting was about the economy!” Ezrin Mohamad Isa commented.
Mohd Hafiz Yatim suggested that Khairy’s presence was not an issue, given the “perceived failures of others”, remarking, “Well, no issue with Anwar inviting KJ when others fail to do their job.”
Amidst the mixed opinions, one user commented, “It’s good and wise to have KJ in this new discussion group.”
Fazil Hafiz speculated on the possibility of Khairy joining Anwar’s pact, stating, “Is KJ joining Anwar’s pact? It seems like he is just waiting for an offer to join PKR.”
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June 16, Anwar meets KJ, experts on country’s economic direction