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| How Anwar performed as Finance Minister 23 Feb 2012 Whatever you may think of Anwar, he did manage to reduce the country’s budget deficit (as a percentage of GDP) and later even presided over surplus years. Anwar was appointed Finance Minister in 1991 in the Mahathir administration and deputy PM in 1993. He was ousted from power in 1998. Some (including me) may have reservations about what they perceive to be his neo-liberal inclinations, but it has to be said that we haven’t seen a surplus since Anwar was unceremoniously thrown out of office. In fact, those five years of surpluses are the only years the government has achieved a surplus from 1970 until now. No kidding – look at the figures from 1970 (figures from Bank Negara) … for more, go to http://anilnetto.com/economy/malaysian-financebusiness/how-anwar-performed-as-finance-minister-part-1/ |
Anwar has proven track record in managing Malaysia’s financial health
As Malaysia’s former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim makes his comeback bid to Parliament in the Port Dickson by-election, Malaysians must give serious consideration to his track record as a former Finance Minister.
Anwar did no former Finance Minister could achieve - not even Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah - and that is to steer Malaysia to five consecutive years of national budget surpluses.
Also, those were the only years from 1970 that the Malaysian governments had seen national budget surpluses.
So, before anyone or Malaysia starts labelling Anwar as a bullshitter in the country’s finaces and economy, do think twice about his track record.
And, Malaysia would indeed see better times, hopefully, if and when he succeeds Dr Mahathier Mohamad (Dr M) as Prime Minister in two years time?
At the recent S Rajaratnam Endowment Dialogue in Singapore, Anwar said he was greatly optimistic that Malaysia can be transformed into a new economic force in the region.
He attributed such strong expectations to Malaysia’s “vibrant pro-growth policies, stable and clean business environment.”
“With the rule of law prevailing and democratic institutions firmly in place … I believe, God Willing, Malaysia will emerge once again as an exemplary economic power,” he added.
Even Singapore’s Premier Lee Hsien Loong, wrote on his Facebook, wished Anwar “all the best in the upcoming by-election in Port Dickson”.
Is it that easy to get the kiasu and kiasi (fear of loss and fear of death) Singaporeans and their leader’s respect, if you do not have the leadership quality to steer Malaysia to greater heights?
Do read on for more:
"THE POTENTIAL IS BACK! MALAYSIA SET TO BECOME NEW ECONOMIC FORCE IN THE REGION – ANWAR
Politics | September 16, 2018
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“With the rule of law prevailing and democratic institutions firmly in place.. I believe, God Willing, Malaysia will emerge once again as an exemplary economic power,” he added.
The Dialogue was a key programme of the Singapore Summit 2018 held at the Shangri-La Hotel here.
Also presence were Singapore Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Holdings, Ho Ching.
The Singapore Summit is organised by the Temasek Foundation Connects with the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board, GIC Pte Ltd, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade & Industry, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Temasek.
Taking a question from the floor on Singapore-Malaysia relations, Anwar who is also Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president-elect asked in turn, “is there any problem?”.
“I honestly don’t believe that there is a problem (between the two countries),” he said and received a round of applause.
Anwar who is also the de facto leader of the governing Pakatan Harapan coalition in Malaysia also made a promise, saying: “If and when I assume the premiership I will make sure the first country I visit is Singapore.” — Bernama/Malaysia Chronicle
NEW MALAYSIA: A NATION OF THINKERS, HARD WORKERS & DOERS – IMPOSSIBLE UNDER CORRUPT NAJIB & LAZY UMNO BUT NOT ANYMORE
Politics | September 16, 2018
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These two days are and always should be special to all Malaysians—whatever our backgrounds or political alignments.
Genuine patriotism comes from the ground-up.
Flying the Jalur Gemilang shouldn’t be contingent on what we feel about our country’s current political scenario or its leaders. What is most important is the flag that we fly in our hearts and minds.
Still, the celebration of our national days in 2018 will be extra memorable given that it will be under a new government.
We can be proud of how far we have come since 9 May 2018, to say nothing of 31 August 1957 and 16 September 1963. All Malaysians should certainly be grateful, too.
But we still have a long, long way to go.
The process of political and institutional reform in the New Malaysia must continue unimpeded, even if certain quarters tell us otherwise.
Repressive laws must be done away with. The independence of our public institutions—including the media—must be strengthened. We must restore checks-and-balances between the different branches of our government:
the executive, legislature and judiciary. The country is not going to become a backwater simply because one branch doesn’t have absolute power over the others.
Let us not forget the lessons of history: economic reform in Malaysia will fail without greater democracy, transparency and civil liberties.
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As such, political reform is the key to developing Malaysia—not an obstacle.
There is also a need to perfect our union.
The developmental inequities between the different regions of our country: between the Peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak, between the West Coast of the Peninsula and the East Coast, between the Orang Asal communities and the rest of the country, certainly need to be addressed.
But it is equally important to bridge the “gaps” between and within the different races and religions.
The difficult questions and controversies over ethnicity, faith, gender, sexuality, language and culture we have faced will continue.
Perhaps these will always be with us.
I do know that Malaysia will never be at peace with itself if we run away from these questions or refuse to debate them.
Clearly there is a lot to do.
But Malaysians have always been thinkers, hard workers and doers.
They must hold those in power accountable. Maintaining our constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy requires constant vigilance.
Freedom and diversity are not aberrations, but Malaysia’s heritage.
That is the only way we can live up to Tunku Abdul Rahman’s dream that our nation “…shall be for ever a sovereign democratic and independent State founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations.”
That is the destiny we must fulfil for our nation founded on the principles of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy.
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad – Mysinchew/Malaysia Chronicle"
‘ALL THE BEST IN PD BY-ELECTION’ – HSIEN LOONG GIVES ANWAR THE THUMBS-UP IN SINGAPORE
Politics | September 16, 2018 by | 0 Comments
SINGAPORE – Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today wished Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim “all the best” in the upcoming by-election in Port Dickson.
“Caught up with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in my office today. We last met when I visited Putrajaya in May,” wrote Lee on his Facebook page.
The posting was accompanied a photo of him with Anwar, Malaysia’s prime minister-in-waiting.
Anwar, Parti Keadilan Rakyat president elect and de facto leader of the governing Pakatan Harapan coalition in Malaysia has chosen the Port Dickson seat to pave the way for his political comeback.
In his posting, Lee also acknowledged that Anwar spoke at the Singapore Summit 2018 which was held today at Shangri-La Hotel.
He noted that Anwar will be here again next week to speak at the Singapore Management University.
Anwar will speak at the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership Lecture Series on Sept 20.
“Glad he is spending some time with our academic institutions, meeting Singaporeans, building bridges, and strengthening ties between our countries,” Lee added.
Among others, at the S Rajaratnam Endowment Dialogue, a key programme of the Singapore Summit 2018, Anwar spoke about Singapore-Malaysia relations.
At the Dialogue, Anwar also made a promise, saying: “If and when I assume the premiership, I will make sure the first country I visit is Singapore.”
Singapore’s former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Holdings Ho Ching were also present at the Dialogue. — Bernama
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