Pakatan Harapan is not well-liked by some Malaysians as it has not continued the previous administration's practice of giving out "free money," rued Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"The previous government was fond of giving free money to the people, everybody got free money," he told the 'Future of Asia' conference in Tokyo today.
"But now we have taken over, we have to carry this burden of huge debts, we don't have money and we cannot be giving out free money to the people.
"And when we don't give out free money to the people, the people do not like us," said the Pakatan Harapan chairperson.
"Before this some of the people supported us, thinking that when we take over, they have nothing to lose. But initially, they will lose this kind of free money that was given out by the previous government.
"But it has to be done, there is no way we can correct the financial problems without being very careful and prudent in the management of the finances of the country."
Mahathir said this during a question-and-answer session after his speech at the conference, transcripts of which were available to local media.
He was asked to comment on purported public dissatisfaction with the Harapan government, particularly amongst the Malay community.
Previously, a survey conducted by pollster Merdeka Center showed that both Mahathir and Harapan suffered huge drops in approval ratings.
Blaming the BN administration for making the people dependent on government handouts, Mahathir cautioned that such a mindset was not good for the country.
"We want to correct this. A country where the people depend on the government for free money never grows.
"A country where the people work hard to create wealth, that country will prosper.
"The best country in the world is one where the people are hardworking, and through their work create more money for the country," he said.
Handing over the reins
In the question-and-answer session, Mahathir also reiterated that he would honour his undertaking to hand over the premiership to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
"(When we first formed Harapan), it was agreed that the coalition should be led by me as its chairperson.
"We also undertook that if I become the prime minister, it will be limited to a certain time. But the actual time is not spelt out. I agreed that Anwar will take over from me, and I will adhere to my agreement.
"Of course, there may be some opposition to this undertaking, but that is other people's problem, it is not my problem," he said.
Mahathir also said that Harapan would be able to fix the country's economic woes before he steps down.
Some in Harapan believe that Mahathir should be allowed a full term to carry out the ruling coalition's reform pledges.
On May 9, Harapan's first anniversary of being in power, Mahathir said: "I don't know whether it is three years or two years, but I am an interim prime minister."
In February, Anwar was reported as saying that he expected to become the premier in not more than two years' time. - Mkini
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