THERE is still more time to turn the economy around, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng. 

The DAP secretary-general said Pakatan Harapan had outlined a three year plan to turn the economy around.

“We still have time so I think let’s wait and see after four years,” he said while adding that the ruling coalition has five years to complete its term.

Lim was responding to Bersatu supreme council member Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff’s comments yesterday that Pakatan Harapan will lose the election if it is held tomorrow.

Lim said everyone has the right to an opinion on the economy.

“As far as Rais Hussin is concerned, he has made several points, you only took out some parts of it, he also spoke about other points,” he said while referring to media reports. 

“If I refer to what he said, it may touch on some other leaders, I prefer not to comment on that because that may be quite sensitive to other leaders.” 

However, Lim said Malaysia’s second quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth has exceeded expectations.

Malaysia’s GDP grew 4.9% in the second quarter of the year, compared to 4.5% in the previous quarter.

This is despite the slower growth recorded by other Asian countries amid the global economic slowdown. 

Lim said it is important to focus on the economy and not get distracted by other issues, as the economy matters the most.

The benefits of economic performance, he said will trickle down to the people. 

“What I see is even though we are celebrating Merdeka two days from now, I think we are easily distracted by other issues.

“That is contrary to the Merdeka spirit. Let us focus on the economy because the economy is what matters most,” he added. – August 29, 2019.