MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday denied rumours that the Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, was resigning from the post of Finance Minister in the wake of the turmoil in currency and stock markets. Share prices and the value of the Malaysian dollar have plunged to their lowest levels in many years. The rumours have been partly fuelled by the way in which the Prime Minister has been speaking out on financial matters, attacking foreign 'manipulation' of the markets and announcing measures to halt the slide in share prices. Dr Mahathir said Mr Anwar was 'doing all he can about this thing'. 'We are having meetings all the time. We work closely together. I am responsible simply because I am the head of the Government. I can't let just everybody carry on their responsibilities without helping.' Dr Mahathir added: 'I'm not taking over the Ministry of Finance, if that is what they're suggesting.' He said such rumours were spread by people who cared only about making money for themselves. 'They don't care if this country goes to the dogs or not,' Dr Mahathir said. The Prime Minister, who has called currency speculators 'international crooks' and labelled American financier George Soros a 'moron', yesterday added a new phrase to his lexicon of money and stock market operators. He said they were 'wild beasts'. In an address to the annual general assembly of the Malaysian Chinese Association, a partner in Government to his United Malays National Organisation, he said that the crisis was a challenge that would strengthen the country. He said the actions of speculators had increased foreign debt, reduced income and erased more than M$400 billion (HK$1,058 billion) of market capitalisation on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.
