Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has assured that Putrajaya will not be announcing “quick fix maggi projects” in any localities during the upcoming state elections.
Speaking to reporters today, Rafizi said the instructions from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the announcement of such projects were clear and “there won’t be any of that”.
However, Rafizi asserted that the federal government has to proceed with its national policies.
“The government has to run and we must proceed with our policies. We didn’t know when the state elections would be (back then).
“For example, in my ministry, we have the monthly National Economic Action Council. Next on the council (agenda) is the progressive wage (policy).
“And if there are announcements on the progressive wage, it has nothing to do with the state elections, it’s just a policy,” he said.
He was speaking in a forum titled ‘Hard Talk: The Economy — On Track or Sidetracked?’ at the International Malaysia Law Conference held at Shangri-la Hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.
Rafizi, who is also PKR deputy president, stressed that there is no reason for Putrajaya not to continue its “part and parcel” duties to keep the government running.
"There's clarity about quick fix, election-intended projects and there shouldn't be (any during the state elections)."
“I think the government will balance between the two,” he said.
Last month, electoral reform group Bersih has "reminded" all outgoing state governments in six states that will face elections soon, to not make any major decisions or announce any projects.
In saying so, Bersih's steering committee said that the function of the caretaker governments is only to maintain basic operations until a new government is sworn in.
"Any such decision or announcement (on projects) would be democratically wrong and legally dubious as they do not have the authority beyond caretaking.
"The secretary's office of the state governments needs to issue a caretaker government guideline, as has been done at the federal level," said Bersih. - Mkini
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