I had to rent my own helicopter - Dr M laments EC's curbs

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed unhappiness at curbs imposed on the government by the Election Commission for by-election campaigns.

In particular, Mahathir complained about the EC's restrictive rules on the use of government assets.

"I do not think these restrictions are good," he told a press conference in Putrajaya after chairing a Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption meeting.

"As prime minister, I could not use government assets or privileges when I campaigned in the Cameron Highlands by-election. 

"I had to rent a private helicopter to reach the campaign area, and used my personal vehicle for campaigning.

"This is an extraordinary restriction, because ministers are normally still working even outside working hours." 

Mahathir also raised unhappiness about campaigning restrictions on ministers while they are on duty.

He said such a rule would hurt Pakatan Harapan, and advantage the opposition because they do not hold government jobs.

"I understand that there have been instructions for government officers, ministers and their deputies not to campaign during working hours," he said.

"So during working times, they have to be in the office, but in reality, even after working hours, they are still working.

"The restriction on ministers appears to give an opportunity to the opposition, who do not have (government) jobs and can campaign 24 hours a day."

On a separate matter, Mahathir refuted claims that the country's economy is in bad shape.

"The country is suited for investors, but some experts claim in the media that Malaysia is in a bad situation, as if we are at war.

"The truth is, our performance has been good, investment is coming in, so don't spread false news, even though we no longer have a law against that," he said.

Mahathir said this in reference to a Bloomberg report, which claimed that investors were losing confidence in Malaysia due to the purportedly slow pace of reforms. - Mkini