RANTAU POLLS | The country's economy needs time to recover from being made "sick" under BN rule, PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli told voters in Rantau last night.

According to The Malay Mail, Rafizi said the condition is compounded by economic instability in the world’s two biggest markets, China and the US.

"Malaysia's (economy) is not only having a fever, but the whole world is facing a long drought," he said at a ceramah on the Rantau by-election campaign trail.

"For those who ask 'Pakatan Harapan lied, promises were not kept, where is the money,' I would like to tell them that Malaysia now is sick and currently seeking medical aid."

Fortunately, Rafizi said, the country is in the hands of two good doctors, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his deputy Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Unlike their predecessors, he added, who would only administer sugar-coated truths, Harapan leaders are at least honest with their prognosis.

"If you ask (BN candidate and acting Umno president) Mohamad Hasan and (former prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak about the nation's economy, they will tell you everything is fine."

Rafizi also urged voters to reject the "politics of hate" of the Umno-PAS alliance.

'Not about wealth, but honesty'

In his speech, Rafizi also claimed that Mohamad has not been honest about his wealth.

Harapan leaders have questioned the inaction over the former menteri besar's 2008 transfer of RM10 million to purchase a property in London. 

Although Mohamad has denied any wrongdoing in the deal, Rafizi asked if he had broken currency control laws by using a money changer instead of a bank to transfer the sum abroad.

Harapan candidate Dr S Streram had also asked his rival to respond to claims on social media that he owns the Saujana Duta residence in Seremban, said to be worth RM6 million. 

Mohamad has distanced himself from the allegations.

Brushing aside Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin's protestations that Mohamad’s net worth is due to his corporate background, Rafizi said the issue is not about wealth, but honesty.

"This is not a matter of whether he is wealthy or not. This is an issue of whether he is honest or not.

"If you want to be a leader, you must be honest. If you have RM10 million you must say so. If you have a house you must say you have a house," he said.

In this Saturday's polls, Mohamad will face off against Streram and two independent candidates, R Malar and Mohd Nor Yassin.

The by-election was called after the BN leader failed to challenge the Election Court declaring his walkover in last year's general election null and void.