The Prime Minister says government machinery cannot be used to announce new projects during election campaigns, in line with the Election Offences Act.
KUALA LUMPUR: The government cannot use official machinery to announce new projects or policies once candidate nominations have taken place, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat today.
However, he said projects that had already been approved before the election period could proceed, as election laws only prohibit new promises or policy announcements during the campaign period.
“Our decision remains the same. Once the nomination of candidates is announced, campaigning may continue, but there can be no use of government machinery or announcement of guaranteed new projects or new policies for the state concerned.
“This applies to new projects. If they are existing projects, that is allowed.
“The continuation of existing projects is allowed, but government machinery cannot be used to announce new projects during the campaign period,” he said.
Anwar said he had verified the matter under Section 24B of the Election Offences Act 1954 and with the Election Commission (EC).
He was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau), who asked whether the prohibition on announcing government allocations or projects after candidate nomination remained in force ahead of the Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan state elections.
In a supplementary question, Shahidan argued that the issue should also be viewed from an ethical perspective, citing several announcements made close to nomination day and the dissolution of state assemblies.
He referred to Anwar’s announcement in Johor on June 24, before nomination day on June 27, as well as an alleged RM25 million allocation by the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) for roof repairs at flats in Taman Tun Aminah, Skudai, announced on nomination day.
Shahidan also raised an alleged RM3.06 million allocation announced in Negeri Sembilan on June 4, comprising RM180,000 each for 17 Pakatan Harapan assemblymen and 14 Barisan Nasional-Umno assemblymen.
“Even if it had been approved, why must it be announced at that time? This is about the announcement. Whether it has been approved or not is the same issue,” he said.
Anwar maintained that announcements made before nomination day were permitted under election rules and did not constitute an ethical breach.
He said the more serious ethical concerns during election campaigns involved abusive behaviour, slander and falsehoods.
“What breaches ethics is swearing, insulting, slandering and lying. Those are bigger ethical issues. Those are the things we must avoid,” he said.
Addressing the KPKT announcement, Anwar said checks showed the project had already been approved before the election period.
“If a project had already been approved under last year’s budget, and it is later emphasised or repeated, that is not an offence under election rules.
“What is not allowed is a new project,” he said.
Later, Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) asked whether the government would strengthen guidelines on the use of official assets, including government vehicles, halls, public facilities and civil servants, during elections.
Anwar said existing election laws already governed the use of government assets, although official vehicles and security arrangements for the Prime Minister and Menteri Besar were permitted for safety reasons.
He added that caretaker Menteri Besar were prohibited from making policy announcements or decisions, particularly those involving financial implications.
“If there is a breach, I have heard directly from the Election Commission that action will be taken,” he said.
