‘GOVT BOUND BY 3 PRINCIPLES’
They are serving people, upholding democracy and practising separation of powers, says PM
PRIME Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Pakatan Harapan government holds firm to three principles, which are serving the people, upholding the democratic system and practising separation of powers between the administration and the judiciary.
He said the PH government fought not for its leaders, but for religion, race and the country.
“It is the democratic system that gives people the power to choose a government and it is with this power that we give ourselves in service to the people.
“In a democratic system, we have rules that we have to respect.
“The previous administration did not respect these rules. We want laws that benefit the people and discard laws that are oppressive.
“We will uphold the principle of separation of powers between the legislature, executive and judiciary.
“We do not want leaders to dominate both executive and judiciary powers, which leaves no avenue for them to be brought to justice if they commit any wrongdoing.”
Dr Mahathir said this at a meetthe-people event organised by Kelantan PH, which was attended by about 1,000 people.
Present were his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Parti Amanah Negara president and Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) vice-president Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, Kelantan PH chairman Datuk Husam Musa and Jeli member of parliament Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Earlier, Dr Mahathir received 13,717 party membership forms from state PPBM chairman Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor.
Dr Mahathir, who is PPBM chairman, urged the people to understand the situation faced by the Federal Government, which was unable to fulfil some of its promises.
“It’s true that before this, it was easy for us to make promises. But some of these could not be fulfilled, which left the people disappointed.
“However, smart people will understand why they cannot be fulfilled given the debt left by the previous government that reached RM1 trillion.
“I am certain that the people are willing to wait for the country’s problems to be resolved before we fully make good on these promises.”
Earlier, he held an hour-long closed-door meeting with the leadership of PPBM, which was attended by Kamarudin and the latter’s deputy, Datuk Sazmi Miah.
Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob was scheduled to hold a meeting with Dr Mahathir to discuss various matters, including development in the state. Additional reporting by Mohd Zulkifli Zainuddin