PKR challenges Najib and Co to return official cars

PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar has challenged the caretaker prime minister and his cabinet to return their official cars - as well as the federal and state administrations not to use government machinery for BN campaigns.

"This includes Kuala Lumpur City Hall," she told a press conference today.

The Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government had issued a circular in February instructing the return of official cars upon dissolution of the state assembly, while the Penang caretaker exco returned their official cars last week.

Nurul Izzah said BN chief Najib Abdul Razak and the caretaker cabinet have been abusing their positions ever since Parliament was dissolved on April 3.

She said that this has been evident in the slew of announcements made.

This includes the April 5 announcement of RM8 billion worth of projects in Cyberjaya and the April 8 announcement on the extension of the 1Malaysia Privilege Card to pensioners.

"The failure to differentiate between 'campaign' and 'administration' or ‘caretaker government’ and ‘elected government’ proves that BN cannot fulfill its responsibility honestly and won't be able to bring positive change for the people," she said.

She noted that using government machinery to campaign goes against democratic principles, saying PKR will continue to “monitor and expose” such abuse by Najib and his cohorts.

“I also urge all Malaysians to join us in monitoring the actions of the caretaker government to ensure no government facilities are abused for political reasons,” she said.

“Any report of abuse can be reported to us or any other relevant organisation, like (election observer group) Pemantau.” 

Wan Azizah's candidacy

Nurul Izzah dodged a full answer to a question about the candidacy of her mother and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. 

She insisted that there has been “no contradiction” on the matter and urged everyone to wait for nomination day, which has been set for April 20.

“What (PKR de facto leader) Anwar Ibrahim said is accurate, but there have been demands from the ground for her to contest in Selangor. What is important is for us manage all the different expectations,” she said. 

Anwar had reportedly said Wan Azizah (left) will not contest the election, and this was confirmed by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali. 

Nurul Izzah had, prior to Azmin's statement, denied that her mother would not contest.

Wan Azizah is barred from contesting a parliamentary seat until a five-year mandatory prohibition expires on July 31 this year. 

The prohibition kicked in after she resigned as Permatang Pauh MP in 2008 to make way for Anwar to contest the seat. 

However, there is nothing to stop her from contesting a state seat.