Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmakers have called out Economy Affairs Minister Rafizi Ramli for railing against the practice of prime ministers holding the finance portfolio in the past.
But now, they pointed out, he is serving under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who is also the finance minister.
However, Rafizi (above) retorted by saying that good governance is not just whether the prime minister is holding the finance portfolio, but there is actually a whole system that needs to be looked at.
“Regarding governance, PN and Putrajaya are lumping as if everything revolves around whether the finance minister is the same person as the prime minister when we have a whole system.
“What needs to be looked at is what are the steps that have been taken which shows the leanings of the prime minister,” Rafizi said.
He was giving his winding-up speech on the Budget 2023 debate in Dewan Rakyat today when Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) and Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok) pointed out that the Pandan MP used to criticise such a practice, especially during Najib Abdul Razak’s administration.
Defending the administration, Rafizi said under Anwar’s leadership, there is no interference in enforcement bodies, which is already different from Najib’s tenure as prime minister.
“That is more important,” he said.
Secondly, Rafizi added, Anwar has cancelled all projects awarded under direct negotiation and re-tendered them for open tender.
“Of course, I know there will be that concern, but I am confident that the MPs, the members of the administration from this mixed government that has different parties and the rakyat will continue to monitor every move Anwar makes,” Rafizi said.
The PKR deputy president had previously defended Anwar’s decision to hold the finance portfolio, saying it was necessary due to the “extraordinary” political climate in the country.
Rafizi explained then that this move was to not dissatisfy any component parties within the unity government. - Mkini
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