Implementation of the Gold Dinar: Is it the End of Speculative Measures?

Abstract

The Asian economic crisis, which occurred in 1997, hit the Malaysian and neighbouring countries economies badly. Thailand and South Korea had to turn to IMF rehabilitation funds to ensure that they could revive their economic growth. Suprisingly, Malaysia took an unorthodox way by implementing capital control and pegging the National Ringgit Malaysia at 3.80 to the US dollar. Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad blames speculators which contributed heavily to the country's depreciating currency value, thus affecting the overall national economic condition. Even though the SEA countries are feeling the pain from the crisis, their overall economic conditions are moving towards positive reactions after several economic measures have been taken by the affected countries. In the process of economic recovery, Malaysia is searching for an alternative solution to decrease the possibilities of being attacked by speculators. Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad first expressed interest in a universal currency that could help unite Muslim countries after attending the OIC summit in Doha, Qatar, in November 2000. This paper will discuss whether the implementation of the universal currency, or the Gold Dinar will stop the speculators? menace.