Remember 1997 financial crisis, says Hadi in veiled jibe at Anwar

Abdul Hadi Awang and Anwar Ibrahim.

PETALING JAYA: Abdul Hadi Awang today paid tribute to Dr Mahathir Mohamad while taking a veiled jibe at Anwar Ibrahim, in his latest criticism of the choice of the PKR leader as the future prime minister.

Hadi praised Mahathir’s handling of the 1997 financial crisis “using local resources and own expertise” during the prime minister’s first term in power.

“It was not by being dependent on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which would amount to economic colonialism, debt burden and a host of consequences that could attract foreign interference,” Hadi said.

Anwar, who was finance minister in Mahathir’s cabinet at the height of the currency crisis, was sacked in 1998. The two were widely reported to have fallen out over differences in handling the economy. Anwar had then welcomed a rescue package by IMF, which was rejected by Mahathir, who later announced a controversial currency peg on the ringgit.

Anwar has been named by Pakatan Harapan as Mahathir’s successor.

Hadi said PAS was concerned over the choice of the future prime minister.

“Malaysia’s experience in handling the 1997 financial crisis was a test case to show who had the courage to defend the nation’s dignity as opposed to those who easily surrender to the outsiders,” he added. - FMT