Azmin: BN mega projects led to ‘RM1 trillion debt’

(NST) – Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has blamed mega projects by the previous Barisan Nasional government for having contributed to the “almost RM1 trillion national debt.”

Speaking to reporters at the Economic Planning Unit office here, Azmin said the amount had set off a major alarm in the new Pakatan Harapan government.

“We have to look at the details on what contributed to this huge debt of almost RM1 trillion.

“Part of it was because the processes were not open, not transparent and most (mega) projects were off-budget. It was not under or part of the national budget,” he said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia’s debt has reached RM1 trillion and that important measures would be taken for the nation to quickly recover from the situation.

Dr Mahathir also pointed out that the country only used to have debts of around RM300 billion when he was the prime minister previously between 1981 to 2003.

Earlier today, Azmin had an introductory briefing with Economic Planning Unit director-general Datuk Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid after clocking in at 8am.

Azmin said, due to the recent revelation, his ministry would review all mega projects approved by the previous government and these would include the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and KL-Singapore High Speed Railway (HSR).

Meanwhile, asked on who will replace him as the Selangor Menteri Besar, Azmin did not offer a concrete reply.

He said the Selangor palace will make the necessary announcement once it has consented to a name for the position.

“Tuanku Sultan (Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah) has consented for me to take up the federal post and at the same time, we will discuss with Tuanku on the future MB.

“It is expected to be announced soon, maybe within a few weeks,” he added.

Yesterday, Azmin in a statement said that he had made a decision to relinquish his post as Selangor MB in order to take on the ministerial post under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government.

The decision was made after Azmin had an audience with Sultan Sharafuddin at Istana Kayangan to discuss his position as the MB.

Datuk Mohammad Munir Bani, who is Private Secretary to the Sultan of Selangor, said Sultan Sharafuddin gave his blessings to Azmin to accept the role of Economic Affairs Minister.

However, he will remain as Selangor MB for the time being until the Sultan consents to a candidate to replace him.