Anwar took finance post due to extraordinary circumstances, says Rafizi
‘Extraordinary circumstances’ had led Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to take over the finance portfolio, says Rafizi Ramli.
PUTRAJAYA : Economic affairs minister Rafizi Ramli said “extraordinary circumstances” had led Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to take over as the finance minister.
He said Anwar took on the role to prevent conflict among the coalitions and parties that form the unity government.
“No party had the majority to form the government but, at the same time, we needed strong leadership for the economy,” Rafizi, the PKR deputy president, told a press conference.
“We also know that every component party in the unity government wanted the finance minister’s post, so it makes sense for now for the prime minister to take on the role to avoid conflict.”
Rafizi, however, said he hoped it would be an exception to the norm as ideally, the prime minister should not also be holding the finance portfolio in the Cabinet.
The last time Malaysia had a prime minister who served as finance minister simultaneously was Najib Razak. The two prime ministers before him, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Dr Mahathir Mohamad, also held the same post.
In its 2018 general election (GE14) manifesto, Pakatan Harapan (PH) had pledged that the prime minister would not hold another ministerial portfolio simultaneously.
Previously, Anwar told Bloomberg that he had not considered keeping the finance portfolio for himself when he was deciding on his Cabinet.
Anwar served as finance minister in the 1990s when he was also the deputy prime minister in the Mahathir administration.
PUTRAJAYA : Economic affairs minister Rafizi Ramli said “extraordinary circumstances” had led Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to take over as the finance minister.
He said Anwar took on the role to prevent conflict among the coalitions and parties that form the unity government.
“No party had the majority to form the government but, at the same time, we needed strong leadership for the economy,” Rafizi, the PKR deputy president, told a press conference.
“We also know that every component party in the unity government wanted the finance minister’s post, so it makes sense for now for the prime minister to take on the role to avoid conflict.”
Rafizi, however, said he hoped it would be an exception to the norm as ideally, the prime minister should not also be holding the finance portfolio in the Cabinet.
The last time Malaysia had a prime minister who served as finance minister simultaneously was Najib Razak. The two prime ministers before him, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Dr Mahathir Mohamad, also held the same post.
In its 2018 general election (GE14) manifesto, Pakatan Harapan (PH) had pledged that the prime minister would not hold another ministerial portfolio simultaneously.
Previously, Anwar told Bloomberg that he had not considered keeping the finance portfolio for himself when he was deciding on his Cabinet.
Anwar served as finance minister in the 1990s when he was also the deputy prime minister in the Mahathir administration.
UMNO wanted the Finance Minister post, and already had a name submitted.
ReplyDeleteAnwar Ibrahim's blocking maneuver was to take the post himself, no doubt many in Civil Society will condemn this move.
I said before, it is dangerously lacking in check and balance for the Prime Minister to also be the Finance Minister, and I haven't changed this view, though I am very much an Anwar admirer.