Muhyiddin jabs at 'master spinner' Anwar over rankings drop
Malaysia had dropped to the 34th spot this year from the 27th position last year in this year’s IMD ranking, which is a comprehensive annual report and worldwide reference point on the competitiveness of countries.
Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin has taken a swipe at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after Malaysia fell seven spots in the 2024 International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking.
Malaysia had dropped to the 34th spot this year from the 27th position last year in this year’s IMD ranking, which is a comprehensive annual report and worldwide reference point on the competitiveness of countries.
Taking to Facebook, Muhyiddin said Malaysia’s poor performance is a great blow and should serve as a clarion call for Anwar to quit being a “master spinner”.
“The data presented in IMD’s report clearly shows that Malaysia is not on the right economic track.
“For the first time in history, Malaysia ranks lower than Indonesia and Thailand in the global competitiveness ranking. This is a bitter pill to swallow because Malaysia had previously been called the Asian Tiger with its strong and competitive economic position.
“It’s high time Anwar realises the true reality that Malaysia’s economy has not improved under his leadership. My advice to him is to stop using rhetoric. Manage the country’s economy wisely,” he said in a statement on Facebook.
Be humble
Further, Muhyiddin, who is also former prime minister, said Anwar should be more humble and stop boasting when he sees that Malaysia’s performance was better during the pandemic than it is now.
Since Anwar took office two years ago, Muhyiddin bemoaned that there has hardly been any good news about the country’s economy the people and local business community can shout about.
The nation has instead seen the fall of the ringgit, declining economic growth, tax hike, rationalisation of subsidies, expensive goods, rising cost of living and the increase in business operation costs.
“When I was prime minister during the pandemic, the government not only looked at the welfare of the people, but also at the continuity of businesses.
“It became a government policy at that time to revive businesses through various forms of aids and incentives.
“This is because we know the importance of businesses and the industries in driving the national economy, providing jobs for the people and increasing their income,” he added.
It should be noted that Muhyiddin himself presided over an economic recession following his takeover after the Sheraton Move.
‘Malaysians are fed up’
Muhyiddin was of the view Anwar has been “arrogant” with the business community that he was willing to threaten to revoke their licences if they hiked prices following the withdrawal of diesel subsidies.
“I have never seen a prime minister behave like this.
“It’s impossible that he does not know that the increase in price is due to the increased cost in doing business as a result of the implementation of targeted diesel subsidies by the government.
“In the end, the people have to bear the burden.”
He was of the opinion that Malaysians are tired of the way Anwar has governed the country and managed the economy.
Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, stressed that the people want the nation to return to being an economic powerhouse in the region.
“So far your (Anwar) leadership has led Malaysia to the valley of backwardness, not forward to the pinnacle of glory.”
