KAMPAR: The 14th General Election (GE14) will not have a negative impact the national economy, rather, it will strengthen economic growth.
Treasury Secretary-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said this was due to the belief of various parties, including foreign investors, that 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 a negative 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.
The MOF sponsored corporate social responsibility programme, designed to lighten the people’s economic burden, was also supported by the Valuation and Property Services Department and Retirement Fund Inc..
Mohd 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 per cent and 6.0 per cent 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.
– BERNAMA