PUTRAJAYA: President-elect Donald Trump was impressed by Malaysia's 4.3 per cent economic growth in the third quarter of this year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this was conveyed to him by Trump recently.
“I talked to President-elect Trump two nights ago. He had asked on Malaysia's economy and I told him that we had recorded 4.3 per cent growth in the third quarter of this year.
“(Trump said) if that is so, Malaysia's economy is very good. For the United States, (Trump said) it is growing at one per cent and he wants to see a four per cent growth (for the US).
“That was the spontaneous reaction from the President-elect," said Najib during TV3's Soal Jawab programme tonight.
He was responding to a question on claims that Malaysia could be heading towards bankruptcy. The prime minister rubbished such claims, saying these allegations were not supported by credible facts, and were made by those with vested interests.
“When I met Moody's representatives recently, there was no indicator from them that Malaysia was in trouble. Otherwise the ratings body would have informed me.
“I met the International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde and she did not give any impression that we are in a crisis.
“When I look at all of these and supported by facts, the claims that we will be a failed state and bankrupt are political attacks which we need to explain to the people,” he said.
Najib was also asked how the global crisis and geo-political developments, including on new policies from the US once Trump takes over the presidency in January, would affect Malaysia.
The prime minister said Trump had said that he would do certain things which could trigger unease and reactions among other nations.
“I am looking at the reality. The President-elect has realised that not all what he had said during his campaign can be executed and that is the reality.
“He (Trump) is now thinking of what he should do once he assumes the presidency. For me, we are in an uncertain situation and it is too soon to make any conclusion on what the new policies by Trump's administration would be,” he said.
Najib, said the market had reacted to Trump's campaign promises, which had impacted the world and it is not only Malaysia which saw its currency weakening after Trump's victory.
Among Trump’s campaign pledges had included building a wall to prevent immigrants from crossing the US-Mexico border, repealing Obamacare, withdrawing from the North American Free Trade Agreement, banning Muslims from entering the country, and ending the Syrian refugee programme.