Malaysia Matters Podcast

The issue of confidence and stability as a prerequisite for growth seems to be a theme after Anwar Ibrahim failed to deliver on his promise to capture the reigns of power on September 16.  The government is moving forward with a plan to focus on the important issues and ultimately a smooth transition:

In a minor Cabinet reshuffle today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi named his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak as finance minister.

Abdullah, who was the finance minister, will take over Najib’s defence ministry portfolio.

In making the announcement yesterday, Abdullah and Najib also said the transition plan in which the two leaders have agreed on remains intact.

By giving his deputy heavier responsibilities, the PM will hope to put an end to speculation over the transition plan which will see Najib taking power by 2010.

The swap in portfolios was announced after today’s Cabinet meeting.

This, they argue, is in stark contrast to Anwar who seems intent on destabilizig things in order to win a political advantage:

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.”

Has the political momentum changed now that the 16th has passed?  It would seem the ball is in Anwar’s court.  If he doesn’t produce something more than promises soon, his critics charges will have been proved accurate.