Malaysians should stop talking about leadership transitions as it spooks potential investors.
- Foreigners are anxious if our policies have continuity
- 1MDB scandal had affected confidence and trust in the government, so we need to rebuild trust while ensuring justice is served
- Government has to correct the system and generate growth
- The new government should not be judged after just one year, but based on five years
“Investors and potential business partners are not sure where we are heading.
“So, let’s not talk about one year, two years or three but just carry on because policies have to be beyond a few years. They have to be policies that can carry on for the next generation and after,” said Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz.
“I know Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) has said that he doesn’t want to continue till he’s 100. And we are not asking him to do that, but he should just carry on and not talk about it.
“Certainty is important. Foreigners ask me this question all the time. And they are anxious whether our policies have continuity,” said the former international trade and industry minister.
“We need continuity to govern, right? So get on with the governing and stop talking about transitions,” the National Economic Action Council member said.
Rafidah said while some of the current economic issues were influenced by external factors, such as the trade war between the United States and China, domestic issues had a role, too.
Rafidah said the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal had affected confidence and trust in the government even though the matter is now in the courts.
“We need to rebuild trust while ensuring that justice is served. And while all this is taking place, the government also has to correct the system and generate growth.
“Malaysia cannot improve the economy without restoring trust in the system,” said Rafidah.
She said the new government should not be judged after just one year, either.
“Our impatience has to be tempered with reality, as the depth of the problem is deep and the extent is wide. This government should be judged based on five years.
“We have just come out of a very serious problem concerning our credibility, image, indebtedness and systems breaking down,” said Rafidah.