IF THE unity government doesn’t address the ringgit’s slide against the US dollar, overcome rice shortage, and tackle the increasing cost of living, it risks being labelled a “failed government”, opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin said. 

In a Facebook post, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary-general said for three days in a row the ringgit plunged to a level exceeding RM4.70. 

“Last Wednesday and Thursday, the ringgit fell to RM4.71. Friday morning the value of the ringgit was still at RM4.70.

“It is something to worry about because the continuous fall has a drastic effect on the economy and the country’s inflation rate,” he posted. 

He said in the past, when the ringgit was trading below RM4.50, critics said the PN government lacked the ability to govern.

“But now, not only has the ringgit plunged to its worst level, we are also facing a rice supply crisis and the price of goods is continuing to rise.

“If this is how the country is being managed, don’t blame anyone for labelling this government a failed government,” he said. 

Hamzah said when the economy is bad the ones that suffer are the people. 

“Concrete and comprehensive immediate intervention measures are needed not excuses after excuses.

“Remember, the people want to see results and this government has been ruling for almost a year,” he said. – October 1, 2023.