KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 ― Pakatan Harapan would extend Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz’s tenure as governor of Bank Negara Malaysia for another two years, according to its alternative Budget announced today.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the BNM chief's stint should be extended given the economic uncertainty in the Malaysian and global markets.

“We will support the extension of Zeti's tenure for a further two years, to ensure stability in the face of looming economic trouble,” she said in a press conference outside Dewan Rakyat after launching the opposition bloc's alternative budget.

Zeti still has another year remaining in her five year contract.

PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli explained that the opposition bloc’s support for Zeti was due to her international reputation, which he said could contribute to saving Malaysia from economic turmoil.

“The confidence of the public is lost in the current leadership, knowing that we are entering into a possible economic crisis.

“We need steady hands to steer us out of this. In all due respect, except for the 1MDB saga, Zeti has done a remarkable job in her capacity despite the constraints on her,” he said.

PKR MP Wong Chen who is also part of the committee that formulated the alternative budget agreed with Rafizi, and added that in carrying out her duties so far, Zeti has displayed independence.

“There is a bigger picture to it and that is to avert the economic crisis. Today, she is respected worldwide. Her actions few days ago and this several weeks, shows that there is some sort of independence in her still.

“We would like to see that kind of independence maintained,” he explained.

Pakatan Harapan presented their alternative budget today ahead of the government budget that is to be tabled this Friday in Parliament.

Among the other things highlighted in the shadow budget include abolishing the goods and services tax (GST) and putting 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) into administration.