ALOR STAR: The Malaysia Madani Open House with the Prime Minister aims to bring federal government leaders, including Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, closer to the people in different states.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the open houses, scheduled to be held in six states in conjunction with the 2023 Aidilfitri celebrations, would provide an opportunity for people outside Putrajaya to attend the open houses.
"Not everyone is blessed with the resources or time to travel to the national open house in Putrajaya or Kuala Lumpur.
"By hosting the open house in different states , such as Kedah and Terengganu, we are providing an opportunity for locals to attend and interact with the Prime Minister.
"This will allow him to meet as many people as possible. If we were to hold the open house in Kuala Lumpur, people may question why we didn't choose a state with a larger population of B40 groups."
Mohamad told reporters after attending Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Kuala Kedah yesterday (April 23).
He stressed that the locations chosen for the open house tour, including opposition-held states Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, were not influenced by the upcoming state elections.
"It's solely the Prime Minister's prerogative. He can choose wherever he wants to hold the open house.
"He can even have the celebrations in Sabah or Sarawak.
"Just like this year, we planned on celebrating Merdeka in Sarawak even though there are no upcoming state elections there. It is the Prime Minister's choice," he added.
Yesterday, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor criticised the government's decision to host open house programmes in opposition-ruled states.
![Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the open houses, scheduled to be held in six states in conjunction with the 2023 Aidilfitri celebrations, would provide an opportunity for people outside Putrajaya to attend the open houses. - BERNAMA pic](https://assets.nst.com.my/images/articles/23hmSABUmat_1682299913.jpg)
He claimed that they were a waste of government funds and amounted to mere political campaigning ahead of the upcoming state elections.
Mohamad, who is also Amanah president, said the open house programme would also play a crucial role in fostering healthy relationships between the state and federal governments.
He noted that no state government could function independently without the support of the federal government, no matter how resourceful the state might be.
"We always need cooperation between the federal and state governments, especially in the field of agriculture, where land matters come under the jurisdiction of the state governments.
"If there is a certain someone who spouts all sorts of nonsense, we should not pay attention to them. Ultimately, it is up to the people to decide which political party should be in power through the election process.
"But we need (state-federal) cooperation because the responsibility for roads, airports, agriculture, and development is a shared responsibility between the federal and state governments," he added.
Yesterday, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the open house tour will begin in Kedah on April 29 before moving to five other states, namely Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Selangor.