EIGHTEEN months. That’s all it will take for Pakatan Harapan (PH) to turn around the economy despite eliminating the unpopular goods and services tax (GST), former finance minister Daim Zainuddin said today.

He said a Pakatan Harapan victory will result in a quick analysis of what ails the economy, that blazed under Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure but now hobbles with rising public debt and guarantees.

Daim served twice in the Dr Mahathir government, both times during the economic crises in the 1990s.

“Maybe we need 18 months for the economy to recover,” the veteran leader told Malaysia Decides in Bukit Katil, Malacca today.

“Maybe we need two weeks, a month to look through the books (accounts) and after we understand the problem, only then can we come out with new policies.”

Daim was the country’s finance minister during Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure as prime minister.

In sharing his thoughts on the possible economic situation after PH forms government, Daim said the rakyat can spend more after the goods and services tax (GST) was abolished. This, he said, can give the economy a boost.

“The country’s economy is in bad shape. Debt is aplenty and the rakyat are suffering. Because of that, the PH government will eliminate GST.

“The PH government has to create more jobs for the rakyat, and if the economic situation gets better, we do not need BR1M anymore,” he said, referring to 1Malaysia People’s Aid.

He also touched on PH manifesto promise, which stated that the prime minister cannot hold the post of finance minister as well.

“One of PH’s good policies is that the prime minister cannot also be the finance minister,” he said.

Daim believes that the economy will recover if PH takes over the government and the country’s reserves will also increase.

PH supporter Ahmad Azdi, 35, from Bukit Katil, said he attended the event today because he wanted to listen to Daim.

“So far, I believe what he said,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fahmi Abdul, also 35, said he came down from Kuala Lumpur just to listen to the former finance minister.

“With Daim around, there is enough to convince the people to vote for PH. He has told us his stand and he is a former finance minister,” said Fahmi.

Fahmi and Ahmad will be going to the PH ceramah in the heart of Malacca city as the opposition coalition attempts to convince voters to vote for change.

Nearly 15 million people have registered as voters. Polling day is on May 9. – May 4, 2018.