KUALA LUMPUR – Google’s removal of its currency conversion widget for searches involving the ringgit is a temporary measure enacted by the Internet giant itself, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
He said he had earlier contacted Google for verification on its move, which was first noticed by social media users today.
“Google said based on their discussion with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), there are several features which will be taken down (by Google) temporarily as they work on solving some technical aspects,” Fahmi, who is also government spokesman, said at a post-cabinet press conference today.
“I’d like to thank Google for their efforts towards verifying data…I don’t want there to be any slander (against the government) as if we were the one who ordered for the feature to be removed,”
“(The move) is to ensure that incidents which have happened twice in the past now will not repeat in the future. It’s a positive and welcome move by Google,” Fahmi added.
The minister was referring to how BNM had previously raised the alarm twice over inaccurate ringgit exchange rate data published by Google on February 6 and March 15.
Following the repeat incidents, Google Malaysia had apologised for its mistake and rectified the situation with its third-party service provider.
In its most recent mistake, Google showed the ringgit being traded at 4.98 against the US dollar.
In reality, the ringgit was quoted at 4.7015 against the greenback at 9am and 4.7045 at 5pm, with an intraday high of 4.7075 in the onshore interbank market for the local note, as published on BNM’s website. – March 22, 2024