Who says populist policies are bad

Better market: A man watches trading boards at a private stock market gallery in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is among the better performers in emerging markets, including China, when it comes to the currency and stock market. — AP

IF the jury is still out on whether it pays to be truthful, the verdict is clear – there is certainly a premium for being transparent in revealing the true state of the country.

Apart from the stock market and the strength of the currency, the recent credit rating from Fitch Rating is another tangible sign that the strength of the country is not solely based on whether it complies with internationally accepted practices on managing its balance sheet.