‘Govt not flip-flopping on promises, just facing constraints’

JAKARTA: The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government is not flip-flopping but is forced to face various constraints in implementing its promises made in the general election.

Foreign Minister and PH secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said it was a challenge to fulfil the PH manifesto because of constraints left by the previous government.

“(But) there are (promises) in the manifesto which we have already implemented within 70 days.

“Out of 10 promises (to be implemented) in 100 days, two promises have been fulfilled and six are in the implementation process.”

Saifuddin said PH was committed in fulfilling all its promises and was likely to make several changes due to constraints and circumstances.

Prior to this, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government needed more than 100 days to fulfil the promises contained in the PH manifesto.

Among the promises were to postpone debt repayment to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), increase the minimum wage and set up a committee to discuss the 1963 Malaysia Agreement.

Also promised were the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry on scandals involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd, the Federal Land Development Authority, Mara and Tabung Haji.

Some promises had been implemented, such as the removal of PTPTN borrowers’ names from the travel blacklist and abolishing the goods and services tax.

Saifuddin, who was on a threeday working visit to Indonesia, held a meeting with Malaysian students in Jakarta yesterday.

He also explained how PH was successful in taking over the government in the last general election.

“People want change. The term ‘New Malaysia’ is the people’s aspiration and the Pakatan Harapan government will do its best to meet the needs of the people,” he said.