Irwan: GE14 will strengthen Malaysia’s economy

Treasury sec-gen says various groups, including foreign investors, feel the BN will continue to govern the country and this inspires confidence.

KAMPAR: The 14th General Elections (GE14) will strengthen the country’s economic growth, Treasury Secretary-General Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said.

This, he explained, is due to the fact that various groups, including foreign investors, feel the present government would continue to govern the country, which gave them the confidence to continue investing in Malaysia.

“So, foreign investors are very confident with the (Malaysian) stock market. The ringgit is strengthening and oil prices rising, resulting in the government increasing the 1Malaysia People’s Aid payout from RM400 to RM800.“This also proves the country’s economy is in good shape to face the GE14. I am sure the elections will not have any effect on the economy,” he told reporters after officiating the Ministry of Finance’s (MOF) “Bersama Rakyat” programme at the Arena Rakyat Tualang Sekah here today.

Irwan said that based on this year’s first quarter economic indicators, the country’s economy has seen good performance in achieving growth of between 5.5% and 6% for 2018.

“Malaysia’s first-quarter economic performance will be announced around May. Looking at it now, we are proud of the performance as the nation’s exports recorded double-digit growth,” he added.-FMT