In a spirited debate at the Dewan Rakyat, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli staunchly opposed the notion put forth by Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) that the roles of Prime Minister and Finance Minister should not overlap. Asserting his viewpoint, Rafizi asserted, “I don’t agree. The best person to be the Finance Minister is the Prime Minister.” The crux of his argument rested on the belief that the Prime Minister plays a pivotal role in upholding transparent procurement practices, a measure to prevent past malpractices.
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Muhyiddin, in a supplementary question, probed Rafizi on whether it was time for Anwar Ibrahim to appoint a dedicated Finance Minister, given criticisms for holding the portfolio concurrently with his role as the Pakatan Harapan chairman. Anwar had committed to not holding dual ministerial roles, but circumstances led him to take charge of the Finance Ministry after the last general election, as explained by Rafizi in December.
Contrary to the concerns raised by Muhyiddin regarding the efficacy of economic recovery under Anwar’s administration, Rafizi pointed out three consecutive quarters of economic growth in 2023. This robust performance, he argued, was indicative of the government’s economic policies and the collaborative efforts of ministries tasked with economic responsibilities.
Rafizi, historically an advocate for segregating the roles of Prime Minister and Finance Minister, had previously proposed legislation to prohibit the Prime Minister from concurrently holding the Finance Minister’s portfolio. However, he acknowledged “extraordinary circumstances” post the general election, leading to Anwar assuming the dual responsibilities. He emphasized the temporary nature of this arrangement to avert conflicts within the unity government.