Anwar cautioned against hypocrisy in billion-ringgit allocations, mega projects

A lawyer has cautioned Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim against double standards following his announcement of additional allocations and mega projects in several states despite his pledge to discontinue such practices. 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Rafique Rashid cited Anwar's Aidilfitri message at the government's open house in Negeri Sembilan, in which the prime minister had announced RM1.2 billion for socioeconomic development efforts. 

He also referred to Anwar's announcement about an LRT network in Penang, and the special allocation of RM1.6 billion for Kedah.

"Before Anwar became prime minister, he clearly stated that he would keep governance and administration in line with the law. 

"He also said that he would not misuse government allocations for political mileage," he said, adding that Anwar had no room to manoeuvre given the elections to come in Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah this year. 

Anwar has been actively touring these states, with Raya open houses organised with targets of over 10,000 attendees. 

The Pakatan Harapan chairman said in January that he would not continue the practice by previous administrations of announcing development projects on state visits, especially in the run-up to elections. 

Rafique said Anwar would have been the first to criticise such moves were he not the prime minister. 

"But now that he is in power, he is the one doing these things," he said. 

"That is why I describe him as a hypocrite."

Rafique said there was no law prohibiting the prime minister from announcing allocations for state budgets. 

Nevertheless, he said, such allocations come from taxpayers' dollars, and not from the prime minister himself. 

"There is nothing to stop Anwar or any prime minister from making these announcements," he said. 

"But where are the checks and balances? Can you U-turn as you please? Does Negeri Sembilan need RM1.6 billion, and does Penang need an LRT?"

Rafique also said that such announcements could be seen as a form of bribery to obtain or remain in federal power. 

"Elements of this were also seen during the administration of Najib Razak, through the BR1M cash aid," he said. 

"Back then, they said it was corruption. Now, they are the ones in power and it looks like they are doing the same thing, just through different channels.

"I'm not saying this is bribery because there's nothing against it in the law. But from a moral perspective, is it a form of mental bribery to the people?"