PM: Anwar a threat to economy and maybe safety

The Sun

PUTRAJAYA (Sept 17, 2008): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today described Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as a "threat to the nation's economy and maybe safety".

He accused Anwar of deceiving the public by saying one thing and doing another, and of berating the country to the extent of discouraging investors.

Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting yesterday, Abdullah said: "We are facing inflation and in the midst of this, what Anwar is doing has resulted in fund managers discouraging investors from investing in Malaysia due to the uncertain political scenario.

"By talking about changing governments, Anwar has muddled the economy as some investors have been advised to stay away from the country for the next 10 years, and to wait and see where the country is headed. What he is doing has affected the government, the economy and workers."

Asked what he planned to do about this situation, Abdullah would only say that whatever he would do would be in the best interest of the country.

He said this would sending out trade missions to meet with investors.

"It’s not that we don’t have foreign direct investments (FDI) as many investors are coming in even now, and (Malaysia) is a preferred choice amongst many investors," he said. "The one saying that we are losing FDI is Anwar alone. He doesn’t read, he is ignorant about this."

He said it was Anwar’s character to tell people certain things and expect them to accept it.

He said Anwar's accusation that Malaysia has no competitive edge is untrue as Malaysia's competitiveness has improved from 23 to 19 (in the World Competitiveness Index).

"He is just exploiting people’s trust in him at the moment, and is doing nothing to help them -- even when he is out of the country, he puts down the nation," he said.

About Anwar’s pledge to turn the ailing economy around, and to reduce fuel prices, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said: "Anwar has failed to deliver a lot of his promises. Even though he knew he did not have the numbers, he continued to lie to the public that he would form the government on Sept 16, and has continued to lie to the public about the content of his letter (to Abdullah). So please don’t hold on to his promise too much."

Najib said as chairman of the investment committee, he knew the number of investments in the country this year was maybe more than last year. However, he is concerned that Anwar’s political game will affect the numbers coming in.