RM5.50 to US$1 possible by year-end, says Ku Li
Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah warns of possible demonstrations, especially involving those in the lower-income bracket, if the currency crisis is not resolved.
PETALING JAYA: The government must pay urgent attention to the country’s depreciating currency at the risk of it falling to RM5.50 against the US dollar by the end of this year, former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said today.
In a Berita Harian report, the Gua Musang MP said that the ringgit’s depreciation would have a huge impact on the people as they would struggle to purchase items.
Referring to the ringgit having fallen to RM4.40 against the US dollar two days ago, he said the situation was sure to worsen.
“If the ringgit falls we won’t be able to buy anything, it won’t have any value. For example, if one ringgit is eventually worth only five sen, what can we buy? This is a real problem.”
He called for people to be more frugal and cautious in their spending.
Ku Li, as he is more popularly known, also warned that such socio-economic issues could possibly result in demonstrations – especially involving those in the lower-income bracket.
“I’m not trying to threaten or scare anyone, but this situation will definitely happen. We only have two months’ worth of food supply compared with Singapore, which has enough food supply for six years.
“If we don’t take immediate action then we will surely run into problems, not just economic problems but social problems. Like I said, the situation could turn chaotic.”
PETALING JAYA: The government must pay urgent attention to the country’s depreciating currency at the risk of it falling to RM5.50 against the US dollar by the end of this year, former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said today.
In a Berita Harian report, the Gua Musang MP said that the ringgit’s depreciation would have a huge impact on the people as they would struggle to purchase items.
Referring to the ringgit having fallen to RM4.40 against the US dollar two days ago, he said the situation was sure to worsen.
“If the ringgit falls we won’t be able to buy anything, it won’t have any value. For example, if one ringgit is eventually worth only five sen, what can we buy? This is a real problem.”
He called for people to be more frugal and cautious in their spending.
Ku Li, as he is more popularly known, also warned that such socio-economic issues could possibly result in demonstrations – especially involving those in the lower-income bracket.
“I’m not trying to threaten or scare anyone, but this situation will definitely happen. We only have two months’ worth of food supply compared with Singapore, which has enough food supply for six years.
“If we don’t take immediate action then we will surely run into problems, not just economic problems but social problems. Like I said, the situation could turn chaotic.”
And why do we have only 2 months versus six years of food supply compared to Singapore?
ReplyDeleteAll the money lost due to bailouts. All the money lost through corruption. All the money lost spent on extravagant projects to "shiok sendiri" only. All the money wasted eg budgetting MR 1 bil for JAKIM; just to name a few leakages.
If only those in power were truly working for the good of the country; the money lost through the various "schemes" listed above would have been enough for Malaysia to afford a healthy food stockpile.
But we continue to deceive and be deceived that everything is under control. Hopefully, this stark warning from Ku Li would elicit some response and action would be taken.