PETALING JAYA: The government should address the slide of the ringgit immediately and not say that everything is OK, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is urging Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Perikatan Nasional chairman, in a Facebook post on Monday (Sept 19) said that the Prime Minister could not be oblivious to the slide of the ringgit - which affected the import of food.

"Is this okay? No, it is not okay.

"The issue of the slide of the value of the ringgit is not taken seriously. The PM has not come forward to explain the steps taken by the government to counter the fall in the value of the ringgit," he said, adding that the impression was that everything was fine.

"I know that not everything is okay," said the former prime minister.

He cited studies by Merdeka Centre in 2021 and Mindshare which showed that Malaysians with low income were facing economic hardship due to the increase in prices.

"Malaysia imports a big part of its food (supply). Last year, this reached RM63bil. If the ringgit continues to fall, food will be more expensive," he added.

Muhyiddin, who is also Pagoh MP and National Recovery Council chairman, said he was not pushing for an early election.

"I have yet to reach the stage... but I think that if the prime minister does not manage the economy and the country properly, it is better for the general election be held so that a new government which is more efficient, caring and free of corruption can be chosen by the people," said Muhyiddin.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/19/govt-should-change-if-it-thinks-the-malaysian-economy-is-ok-says-muhyiddin