Anwar cautioned against hypocrisy in billion-ringgit allocations, mega projects
A lawyer says the Pakatan Harapan chairman would have been the first to criticise such announcements were he not the prime minister.
(MalaysiaNow) – A lawyer has cautioned Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim against double standards following his announcement of additional allocations and mega projects in several states despite his pledge to discontinue such practices.
Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Rafique Rashid cited Anwar’s Aidilfitri message at the government’s open house in Negeri Sembilan, in which the prime minister had announced RM1.2 billion for socioeconomic development efforts.
He also referred to Anwar’s announcement about an LRT network in Penang, and the special allocation of RM1.6 billion for Kedah.
“Before Anwar became prime minister, he clearly stated that he would keep governance and administration in line with the law.
“He also said that he would not misuse government allocations for political mileage,” he said, adding that Anwar had no room to manoeuvre given the elections to come in Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah this year.
Anwar has been actively touring these states, with Raya open houses organised with targets of over 10,000 attendees.
The Pakatan Harapan chairman said in January that he would not continue the practice by previous administrations of announcing development projects on state visits, especially in the run-up to elections.
Rafique said Anwar would have been the first to criticise such moves were he not the prime minister.
“But now that he is in power, he is the one doing these things,” he said.
“That is why I describe him as a hypocrite.”
