from Malaysiakini.com
Joe Fernandez | Nov 22, 08 1:17pm
Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday that the BN-led federal government is in a state of extreme denial even as the world economy is facing an uncertain future.
Indeed, global prospects are so bleak that even proponents of unbridled capitalism like Alan Greenspan and George Soros are getting flustered, claimed the opposition leader.
Naïve, simplistic, inexperienced in economic management and engaged in a zero sum game were some of the unflattering terms he threw at the government’s economic team led by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.
“I wish him luck because he’s going to need it. No one will be immune from the financial crisis sweeping the world,” Anwar warned in a talk entitled, ‘The Malaysian economic agenda’s response to the global economic crisis’ in Kota Kinabalu.
“Let us not delude ourselves with the government’s line that we will be spared somehow or that the worst is behind us. Following the sub-prime crisis, the US alone is facing the prospect of a US$3 trillion credit crunch which will emerge soon, according to experts, to dwarf the present financial turmoil.
“I don’t want to be accused of painting too gloomy an economic picture but we are in fact looking at an extended period of slow growth, high inflation and high unemployment.
“A small coterie continuing to rob the nation blind isn’t making our current and worsening economic plight any easier,” he added.
It was a long-delayed speech since Anwar had various other engagements after earlier officiating at the PKR Sabah convention. It was an hour before midnight by the time he finished his talk in a packed banquet hall. The talk was held in conjunction with the prize-giving ceremony of the Corporate Goodwill Invitational Golf Tournament.
On a more positive note, Anwar conceded that the economy was not yet too fragile, but he asked for how long this would go on, saying the re-capitalisation of banks following the 1997/98 Asian currency crisis is “important for this moment of economic crisis”.
The key to managing the economy in the more challenging future ahead, said Anwar, lies in adopting PKR’s Malaysian Economic Agenda (MEA) which, although formulated before the global financial crisis, provides a basis for the nation to come together on a bi-partisan platform and work towards a better economic future for all.
‘Have confidence in your future’
He added that the thrust of the MEA, which retains the salient features of affirmative policies, is relevant to the dictates of the times and urged that “the Malays in particular have confidence in their future”.
He dismissed fears that he was an economic alarmist, instead describing himself as an economic conservative. “When you are dealing with the people’s money, that’s the way to go,” said Anwar.
“We need a national consensus on the NEP which is contributing to our economic malaise and we need to dismantle it and replace it with one based on needs and not on race.
“Other nations have bridged the gap between the haves and have-nots more successfully than us without being perceived to be discriminatory to those who have struggled hard.
“Any talk of dismantling the NEP breeds resentment immediately but only among a handful of Umno leaders have long benefitted at the expense of all of us. Yet many Malays have been deluded into thinking the NEP is somehow intended to benefit them, which is not the same as enjoying the benefits, but how many notice the difference?” he asked.
One key feature of the MEA is the institution of an open tender system which will lessen the burden on the consumer, the tax payer and on government finances.
This can be done, according to Anwar, by devising a process which is transparent and accountable and does away with the abuses of the past while factoring in a role for the Bumiputera which will not drive up the cost of doing business or “make us less competitive”.
“When government leaders talk about the Bumiputera, what they actually mean is themselves, their wives, son and in-laws,” reminded Anwar. “It’s corruption, according to government leaders, when a policeman takes RM50 in bribes but commission when a minister collects RM500 million for himself.”
Although Anwar didn’t directly touch on the long-delayed Sept 16 plan of his government-in-waiting, he left his listeners with the impression that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat was committed to the idea of a change of government “since the present one has shown itself to be incapable of change”.
He touched only briefly on his incarceration and beatings while in detention and in jail but added that “we need to move on” rather than dwell on the past and be bogged down by it, reinforcing the impression that he had forgiven, but perhaps not entirely forgotten.
let it slide, the only way these people will learn is their leaders let them down, people will only learn if they suffer.
revi
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How very true what DSAI said. A small group of Umnoputras are raping & robbing the wealth of the Nation for themselves,cronies & families.
The whole world and majority of Malaysians know ex PM Tun Mahathir frame Anwar after Anwar as Finance Minister refused to use public funds to bail Mahathir’s Son Shipping Company.
In the name of NEP & bumi status,a son of Mahathir,& son in law of PM Badawi can go out and buy Shipping & Large multi million dollars businesses.
No wonder ‘Ketuanan Melayu & NEP ‘ is worth defending amongst Umnoputras.
Only in Malaysia can this happen where a phone call from a V V V I P can ‘fix’ all things-getting out of jail ( even if you have killed or blow someone up ) or have millions of Taxpayers money at your disposal to go ‘shopping’ in Paris,New York,Milan for expensive clothes
or perhaps buy a Company over lunch.
The whole scandals ,cheating and stealing Treasury money really stinks to high heaven !!
Tine for CHANGE>>>>>Time for a New Government that will restore Malaysia credibility.
Yes it really time Malaysians have a Keadilan-Pas-Dap Government under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as PM and Datuk Zaid Ibrahim as Adviser & DPM and R E F O R M A S I !!!
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Dear Beloved DSAI,
We are anxiously waitin for to take over the Federal Government and rectify all the wrongs committed by the Barisan Nasional during its 51 years of mismanagement of our Beloved Malaysia. We have had enough of the Barisan bullshit. BN, its time you left. Prime Minister will put things right. There is no shadow of doubt Bill Ayadurai.
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Dear Beloved DSAI,
We are anxiously waitin for you to take over the Federal Government and rectify all the wrongs committed by the Barisan Nasional during its 51 years of mismanagement of our Beloved Malaysia. We have had enough of the Barisan bullshit. BN, its time you left. Prime Minister Anwer will put things right. There is no shadow of doubt Bill Ayadurai.
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Let us hope that the people will really wake up and throw these BN goons in the next general election. But can we really wait before it is too late?
As the gomen controlled medias continuously barraging the public with all twisted and misinformation stories, Pakatan leaders in the like of Ustaz Hadi and YB Kit and gangs need to educate and deliberate with the public to counter the BN dirty state of denial tactics.
Winning the war is vital but effort to win the battle is mandatory as a step to conquer and hold the ground. There is a need for concentration of effort and keep the momentum and God willing, the nation will benefit.
But with due respect,!!! unless there is a change of government or otherwise…..not impossible but real tough and the masses especially Malays and Bumiputra must be convinced that Ketuanan Rakyat is the way forward. Good Luck.
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And you , Anwar Ibrahim will be basing your whole economic policy, strategies and planning on riba-based fiat money system with central banking …..
[and just because you Anwar Ibrahim think your Muslim Economics scholar-advisers have DeWesternised themselves and simply push through superficial "islamization" programs
ala faruquism.
as if your Economics scholar-advisers are saying Syedinna Umar al Khattab was practising finance of the Dark Ages using gold dinar and silver dirham ....
BTW can your Economics scholar-advisers tell us in 1400 years of Muslim Civilisation, please, tell us the Names of Banks and Bankers .... like the Lombardis, Medici, Rothchilds .....etc
and any great names of Muslim Central Bank Governors in 1400 years of civilisation]
[perhpas the Professors from INCEIF can explain .... that will be the day ]
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Bingo !
That’s what we are facing now and need to correct it.
CHANGE !
CHANGE !
CHANGE !
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“We need a national consensus on the NEP which is contributing to our economic malaise and we need to dismantle it and replace it with one based on needs and not on race.
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“When government leaders talk about the Bumiputera, what they actually mean is themselves, their wives, son and in-laws,” reminded Anwar. “It’s corruption, according to government leaders, when a policeman takes RM50 in bribes but commission when a minister collects RM500 million for himself.”
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RAKYAT , The Power Of Malaysia.
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It is the hope of all fair-minded, peace-loving Malaysians that you would succeed in getting the required numbers to form the next government to implement the MEA.
The present gomen is definitely in a state of denial over the looming economic crises that will cripple many nations.
Malaysians will have to unite to forge a new economic plan that that is not ethnic based, but provides equal opportunities for all Malaysians and enhances all sectors of the economy.
It is our prayer that change will come about in the political landscape and new leaders will emerge. It is our ardent hope that you will suceed to become PM sooner
to make this a reality. The corrupt should go, they will go, God willing.
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