OPR issue: 'Rafizi's statement is not smart' - Bersatu man

KUALA LUMPUR - Bersatu Information Chief Datuk Razali Idris describes Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli's statement on the overnight policy rate (OPR) increase as not smart.

Razali said the OPR represented a major issue as it influences the lives of the people from a price hike standpoint.

"OPR is a big issue, not a small one. This causes the price of basic needs to increase. The Economy Minister could simply say that the people would not be affected. I don’t know what to say; maybe he didn’t know the real meaning.

"He seemed smart during his time as the opposition, but now the stupidity has come out of nowhere," he told reporters when attending the Bersatu Open House Ceremony on Monday.

On Wednesday, the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced the OPR would be increased by 25 decimal points to three per cent.

In a statement, the central bank said the increase will cause the ceiling and floor prices of each OPR to be increased by 3.25 per cent and 2.75 per cent.

Rafizi was previously reported as saying the government will not intervene in the OPR increase out of respect for and freedom of Bank Negara in managing the long-term cash flow.

"The freedom principle was done so there is a balance between the government spending money and the National Bank controlling the cash flow to ensure lending and spending are not excessive. This principle is what I would defend," he said.