An opposition lawmaker finds it strange that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who also oversees the finance portfolio, has remained silent as the ringgit continues to weaken.
"It is very bizarre there has been no single statement from him that he is worried about the ringgit falling," PKR's Wong Chen told a press conference today.
"All we get is talk about instructions to investigate Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz (photo), which is damaging the confidence in the country, especially in the government's handling of the 1MDB crisis.
"All that just doesn't give much confidence to foreign investors," Wong said.
In view of this, the MP for Kelana Jaya said, Najib should relinquish his post as finance minister.
"We reiterate, it is time he gives up his post as finance minister and find someone more professional (to replace him)," he said.
Pointing out how the currency slide has an impact on the country's economy, Wong added its overall mood is currently "down".
He said it was not just the currency issue, which could manifest further. “But we still have ample time, we still have some measures to take," he added.
As such, the Finance Ministry therefore must be on board and show leadership, he said.
Wahid to replace Zeti?
Meanwhile, commenting further on rumours swirling that Zeti would be replaced by Abdul Wahid Omar, currently minister in charge of economic planning in the Prime Minister's Department, Wong said this did not give him any form of encouragement.
"The picture he has presented is that everything is rosy and not as bad as the 1997 and 1998 financial crisis when there are clearly things we should be worried about.
"We hope that Zeti can continue and not be harassed regarding the 1MDB investigations and can help steer us through this crisis," he said.
Wong believed that Wahid, on his part, would do well if he starts to speak in an "honest and clear language".
Special task force on 1MDB
Zeti is expected to make her first public appearance after coming under siege over the special task force's investigation into RM2.6 billion deposited into Najib's personal accounts.
The special task force, comprising of Bank Negara, police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Attorney-General's Chambers, has since been disbanded after former attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail was replaced by Mohamed Apandi Ali.
Zeti is scheduled to chair a press conference tomorrow at the Bank Negara headquarters to announce the second-quarter gross domestic product figures.
Other pressing matters expected to be addressed are the depreciation of the ringgit and falling Bank Negara foreign reserves.
Bank Negara has thus far been silent about Najib's major windfall, which would definitely raise red flags in any central bank. - M'kini
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