BANDAR BAHARU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded Cabinet ministers against announcing projects and allocations during the Sungai Bakap by-election campaign scheduled to begin on June 22.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said Anwar had stressed to Cabinet members not to use their respective positions to make any announcement that would be deemed as handing an advantage to the unity government candidate.
"That means, since June 22 is the nomination day, during the 14-day by-election campaign period, all of us including myself (as the Home Minister) as an example, should not be making an announcement about a new district police headquarters or Sungai Bakap police station project worth RM10 million.
"No, I cannot do that. The same goes with announcing any project for the Jawi Prison, which is located in Sungai Bakap constituency.
"However, for the time being (before nomination day), if there is an application by Sungai Bakap police station to install an air-conditioner in its meeting room, is it wrong? Because now (not the campaign period), it is my responsibility," he told a press conference after opening the Kulim-Bandar Baharu 'Jiwa Komuniti Madani' programme in Bandar Baharu Community Sports Complex here today.
Saifuddin reminded all leaders in the unity government to adhere to Anwar's instructions, including agencies under the Home Ministry.
Yesterday, Penang's chapter of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance Party (Muda) took a swipe at government leaders for allegedly announcing allocations by the federal government as 'goodies' ahead of the Sungai Bakap by-election.
A news portal quoted Penang Muda information chief Danial Abdul Majeed as claiming that the announcement of a RM290,000 allocation to nine mosques and 20 suraus in Sungai Bakap on June 11 was a move to fish for votes.
He had also cited the Housing and Local Government Ministry's announcement of nearly RM18 million allocation for 10 public infrastructure projects in Seberang Perai as another example.