Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin has lauded Perikatan Nasional (PN), claiming that the average annual GDP growth rate of 5.9% recorded between 2021 and 2022 demonstrates that the economy was moving in the right direction under PN’s administration. Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Hamzah (PN-Larut) countered previous assertions that the country’s economic situation had deteriorated, stating that the facts tell a different story.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently presented the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan, revealing Malaysia’s impressive 5.9% annual GDP growth rate during 2021 and 2022. Hamzah used this data to emphasize that Malaysia’s economic stability was fostered during the previous PN-led government.
Highlighting the economic progress, Hamzah also mentioned that the average household income in 2022 had risen to RM8,479, up from RM7,901 in 2019. Furthermore, Malaysia achieved an impressive 8.7% economic growth in the past year, marking the highest growth rate in the last 22 years.
Hamzah, while discussing Southeast Asia’s economic landscape, compared Malaysia’s performance favorably with other countries in the region. He pointed out that Malaysia’s growth rate of 8.7% surpassed that of Vietnam (8.02%), the Philippines (7.6%), Indonesia (5.01%), Singapore (3.8%), and Thailand (3.4%) in 2022. Hamzah concluded that the data from PN’s administration era showcased their capability in governing the nation and managing its economy effectively.
Shifting the focus to a different matter, opposition MPs collectively reiterated their call for the appointment of a second finance minister to assist the prime minister, who also holds the finance minister’s role, in addressing the nation’s economic challenges. They emphasized the need for this appointment in light of Malaysia’s slow GDP and export rate growth.
Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) argued that such a move was customary when the prime minister concurrently held the finance minister’s position, citing past examples like Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Johari Ghani, and the late Jamaluddin Jarjis. Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok) suggested considering Titiwangsa MP Johari or a representative from East Malaysia for the role.
In response to these suggestions, Johari humorously remarked, “I want (MoF) 1, not 2.” Hamzah, showing his wit, proposed that Johari be made the first finance minister, while deputy finance minister Ahmad Maslan could take on the role of the second finance minister.