PETALING JAYA: Finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz is trying to mislead the public by seemingly downplaying the ringgit’s 24-year low against the US dollar, says PKR communications chief Lee Chean Chung.
In a Bernama report yesterday, Tengku Zafrul said it was important that as an exporting country, the low ringgit against the US dollar had a positive effect on the country’s export revenue.
“So do not look at just one aspect. Ask Malaysian exporters, they are all happy as their exported products have become more competitive,” he was quoted as saying.
In response, Lee said that while Tengku Zafrul may think that exporters were happy with the depreciation of the ringgit, the minister “forgets that millions of people have to bear the rise in food costs”.
“In a situation where the ringgit is shrinking, it is almost certain that milk, wheat flour, beef, and even potatoes will become more expensive for ordinary people,” he said in a statement.
“In this regard, Tengku Zafrul is trying to mislead the people.”
He noted that deputy agriculture and food industries minister Ahmad Hamzah had told the Dewan Rakyat last month that Malaysia was expected to record an increase in food imports this year.
Food imports reached RM17.8 billion in the first quarter of 2022. The country imported RM63 billion in food last year.
Lee also asked Tengku Zafrul to clarify whether the ringgit’s depreciation was beneficial to the majority of the population and why the local currency had declined over the past 20 years when compared with other major currencies.
He said that with the weakening ringgit, exporters would have to purchase raw materials at higher prices, citing the example of factories producing TV sets having to pay more for the computer chips and screens.
Lee also warned that the ringgit’s slide would make Malaysia less attractive for foreign investment as well as prevent the country from attracting and retaining local and foreign talent.
The ringgit slipped further to a fresh 24-year low against the dollar today in line with most other regional currencies.
At 9.05am, it slid to 4.5200/4.5220 against the greenback from 4.5070/4.5085 at yesterday’s close.
Tegku Zafrul also said yesterday the ringgit’s performance should be viewed holistically, not just in comparison with the US dollar, as the local currency had strengthened against other currencies. - FMT
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