LIM Guan Eng has called on former prime minister Najib Razak not to blame him over Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s move to sell a 16% stake in IHH Healthcare Bhd to Japanese company Mitsui & Co Ltd, reported Bernama.
The finance minister said all of Khazanah’s affairs are under the purview of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
”Najib has made a statement against me. I think he has strayed because the matter is not under me. Khazanah affairs are under the prime minister,” he said after opening the Smart Green Community programme in Air Itam, George Town, today.
Khazanah has agreed to divest a 16% stake, or about 1.4 billion shares, in IHH to Mitsui at RM6 per share, for RM8.42 billion.
Following the divestment, Khazanah’s shareholding in IHH will decrease to 26.05%.
On the planned gathering on December 8 to oppose the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), Lim said the parties concerned should heed the authorities’ advice.
“I think anyone who wants to hold a peaceful assembly should be allowed to do so, but in the current condition, I think it is not suitable.”
On November 23, the Prime Minister’s Office said the government will not ratify ICERD.
It said Putrajaya will continue to uphold the federal constitution, which contains the social contract agreed upon by representatives of all races in the early days of Malaysia.
Lim added that the government is always striving to “clean up” the country and boost its economy.
He said the Pakatan Harapan government needs at least three years to bring the country back on the track.
“It is certainly not an easy task. We need quite a long time. In Budget 2019, we set a three-year period to bring the country back on track.
“It does not mean we can totally repay all debts, but at least, when the country is in good financial health, we can deal with big debt problems and the issue of insufficient funds, among others.
“Although the economic situation now is bad, I am confident (that things will turn around). And looking at the projections, not only in terms of higher foreign direct investment… in the latest Bloomberg economic report, among all developing countries, Malaysia is No. 1,” he said, adding that the progress recorded came a mere six months after PH took over Putrajaya.
“That is only just the beginning. We have a long way to go, but at least, we are on the right track. That’s important. If we look at the amount of foreign investments coming to Malaysia in the first nine months (of the year), it is encouraging.
“Last year, it was about RM14 billion, but in the first nine months of the year, it was RM49 billion, almost fourfold.
“This is a very good sign, indicating other countries’ increasing confidence in Malaysia under Dr Mahathir’s leadership. He is trying to bring Malaysia back on track, and to let the world know that Malaysia is now free from the grip and shackles of global kleptocracy, and has become a healthy democratic country.”
– Bernama
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