We’ll stick with M’sian currency: S’wak premier after Nanta’s remarks

I do not know why he said this, GPS chief comments on sec-gen’s talk of separate currency for state

KUCHING – Sarawak Premier and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today said the statement by Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi on the possibility of the state having its own currency was merely his honest opinion.

“That’s Nanta’s personal view. We already have a Malaysian currency, so we will stick to it.

“That issue is very complicated, and I don’t know why he said this.

“We have to study in detail first. But we have Malaysia, so we follow Malaysia’s currency,” he said.

He was responding to a statement by GPS secretary-general Nanta, who said the state could consider introducing its own currency in light of the country’s unpredictable economic situation.

Nanta said this in a podcast entitled “From Malaya to Malaysia: 60 Years” to mark National Day and Malaysia Day.

“I hope people are not calling me a traitor, but I’m talking seriously. If we are so good in developing our economy (then) by calculation, our economy should be strong,” said Nanta. Under the federal constitution, only the federal government has power over currency.

– The Vibes, September 2, 2023