KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 — The government has sought clarification from Google concerning the erroneous exchange rate data showing the ringgit against the US dollar at RM4.98, as displayed by the search engine yesterday, given the recurrence of similar inaccuracies in the past.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Governor Datuk Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour have contacted Google on the matter.
The inaccurate data circulating on social media is a worrying sign that caused misunderstanding among Malaysians.
“We know and understand that Google serves as a reference for Malaysians, so we hope an explanation can be conveyed to the people,” he told the press after the ‘Teh Hijau Kuala Lumpur’ programme today.
Fahmi said that as the government strives to boost Malaysia’s economic growth and inspire investor confidence, such fundamental discrepancies should not arise.
“It should not happen, it cannot happen, and we would not allow it to happen again,” he said.
The minister also thanked BNM for the prompt explanation regarding the inaccurate data today.
Earlier today, BNM dismissed the inaccurate ringgit exchange rate data circulating on social media based on an erroneous US$/RM exchange rate published by Google yesterday.
The central bank said that yesterday, the ringgit was quoted at 4.7015 against the US$ at 9am and 4.7045 at 5pm, with an intraday high of 4.7075 in the onshore interbank market for ringgit, as published on the BNM website.
It said this was the second time Google had published inaccurate US$/RM exchange rate data this year.
BNM had sent a stern warning letter to Google when the first misreport occurred on February 6, 2024.
— Bernama
