Published March 10, 2009

Anwar: 'Buckling' economy may shrink 2%

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(KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia's economy is 'buckling under the pressure of a global recession' and could contract by two per cent this year, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has warned.

Anwar, who was finance minister before being ejected from the ruling Barisan Nasional-controlled government in 1998, said at least 400,000 people risk losing their jobs this year. 'The days and months ahead will not be easy,' he said in comments published on his blog late on Sunday.

'Our economy is buckling under the pressure of a global recession. Every month that passes, more factories are closed and more jobs are lost. Some groups have predicted nearly 400,000 more are at risk in 2009,' he said.

Mr Anwar made the remarks ahead of an expected announcement by Finance Minister Najib Razak of a new plan aimed at preventing the third-largest economy in South-east Asia from slipping into recession.

A government official told AFP that Mr Najib will today unveil a plan worth up to US$9.4 billion.

Official data released last month showed economic growth slowed to just 0.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2008, hit by falling exports and slowing manufacturing as demand evaporated. Malaysia unveiled its first US$2 billion stimulus package last year.



'The economy stopped growing at the end of 2008 and is now expected to contract at least 2 per cent (in 2009),' Mr Anwar said on his blog. He also lashed out at the government for implementing the stimulus package late when 'our primary export markets in Singapore, the US and the European Union warned of recession months ago.

'The question arises then why did we not act sooner?,' he said.

'The government is encumbered by divisive politics and the underhanded tactics of the ruling party; a party that has placed its own self-preservation ahead of the interests of the people,' he said. - AFP