ADUN SPEAKS | PN either clueless or in denial on real economic sentiment

ADUN SPEAKS | The shameless Perikatan Nasional government is either in denial, or is clueless of the real sentiment on the ground, especially within the business and investment circles. To say that the state of emergency has no impact on investors' confidence is preposterous, and will only bring further disrepute to our beloved nation.

But I shall not base my critique on mere sentiments, but published reports by reputable financial institutions that specialise in economics. These publications' primary purpose is to provide investment advice vis-à-vis analytical insights on economic prospects; take it not from politicians on either side of the aisle but from these institutions.

BIMB securities research, in its report published on Jan the 13, wrote that the state of emergency "may negatively affect the free market notion and could disrupt the entire market".

The same report also opined that the emergency sends a "negative signal to the investors which led to outflow and diversion of foreign investment from the country".

It also rightly pointed out the possibility of how "excessive intervention will jeopardise the stability of the entire market as the government could extend any new regulations which could depress the market".

Fitch Solutions Country Risk & Industry Research, which is also affiliated to the ratings agency of the same name, in a report on Jan 12 (though expressedly states it acquires no data from the latter) took the view that a "lack of parliamentary oversight is liable to result in an erosion of the government’s already thin legitimacy, having come to power in a backroom coup in first-quarter 2020".

The widely accepted notion of this emergency, that it is to save Muhyiddin's skin from political defeat, also plays heavily on investors' minds.

The UK-based outfit which covers 20 major industries and monitors 200 global markets also wrote that "the risks are especially pronounced if the government takes the opportunity to push through unpopular legislation that would otherwise not have been passed by Parliament".

Crippling factor

Kenanga, a leading Malaysian investment bank, commented in its economic viewpoint on Jan 13 that the state of emergency "helps to remove the political noise, but only temporarily and stands to damage foreign investors’ sentiment, resulting in delayed investment decisions".

With Muhyiddin's now minority government, coupled by his statement that election will be called when the emergency is lifted, it is unlikely that any serious investors would invest before an imminent election in fear of policy changes which will come with a prospective change of government.

Muhyiddin and his ministers need to level with the investment community and the Malaysian people. Less investments mean less jobs. Less jobs means less income and spending power, which is ultimately a crippling factor for our economy.

My advice to Muhyiddin and his cabinet: either advise an immediate reversal of the emergency, seek a political compromise, or step down! Save Malaysians and the Malaysian economy, and not yourself.

To have ministers and political operatives from the government white-washing the emergency by referring to the upward rally of the ringgit against the greenback, and swelling trades in stocks as positive indicators of investor confidence is simply ludicrous.

Active capital markets in trading of currency, stocks and bonds do not mean investors are confident in Malaysia; in fact, it means next to nothing to ordinary working-class Malaysians. Working Malaysians need investors - local and foreign - to be investing in job-creating businesses.

The ordinary Malaysian people need a government that they can be confident would take care of their welfare for now and the future, and not ministers and political operatives that base their reading of the economy on capital market trends.

HOWARD LEE CHUAN HOW is assemblyperson for Pasir Pinji, Perak and DAP Youth chief.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.