[ Laman Ehwal Semasa ReformIS ]
Date: 26 Aug 1999
Time: 00:27:40
Remote User: -
Mahathir says recovery could be undermined by 'other people'
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 (AFP) - Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Wednesday he was "very happy" with the resumption of economic growth in the June quarter but warned that "other people" might undermine the recovery.
"We do not know what will happen in the third and fourth quarters," he told reporters following news that gross domestic product grew 4.1 percent in the three months to June, reversing five consecutive quarters of shrinking activity.
Mahathir said the government's projection for 1.0 percent growth for the full year would be maintained even though the central bank declared earlier Wednesday that growth was expected to be "significiantly higher" than originally forecast.
"We will stick to one percent for the year," the prime minister said. "I'm very happy we are going to show good growth. But I cannot predict what other people might do to undermine our economy."
Since the Asian financial crisis erupted two years ago, Mahathir has frequently blamed foreigners for his country's economic problems.