GE15: Caretaker government must be aware of its responsibilities - Think tank

SHAH ALAM - The Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) reminds the caretaker government that it must be aware of its limited powers and functional responsibilities following the dissolution of Parliament.

Its chief executive officer Tricia Yeoh said public’s confidence towards its impartiality was important.

However, she said the guidelines outlining the role of a caretaker government in Malaysia were unclear.

“We do not have a set of separate, written guidelines yet on what the caretaker government should adhere to, whereas Australia and most recently, Canada, have outlined the responsibilities of a caretaker government, titled “Caretaker Conventions”,” she said in a statement.

She said the conventions generally outlined the responsibilities of the incumbent in matters relating to manner of conduct for the caretaker government on policies, appointments, international visits, election period as well as administrative work, and for civil officials and the scope of their involvement in election activities.

They have also made the document accessible to the public, she added.

“In short, a caretaker government’s primary duty is to handle only administrative affairs until the formation of a new government.

“It does not have the privilege or power to pass, sign or undertake any agreements, contracts and/or pledges, be it at the domestic or international level.

“It should refrain itself from passing any major policies that may affect the country in the long term.

“This includes making new political appointments or making any major procurement or budgetary decisions. Its actions must be governed by the principles of responsibility, rule of law and necessity alone.” she said.

Yeoh said the existing documents, programmes and allocations that were approved by the previous government needed to be carried out because in the event of an emergency, the caretaker government must practise neutrality and fairness by consulting with all parties before a decision was made.

She said the neutrality applied in refraining from showing favour towards a particular party, be it in public campaigning or during elections.

This, she said was crucial as the caretaker government has essentially vacated its political authority with the early dissolution of Parliament and only allowed legalistic standing to govern.

In February, she said the caretaker state government in Johor had unilaterally made announcements for the Johor Agro-Food Policy 1.0.

She said on Oct 17, at an event with Felcra Bhd settlers and Risda farmers in Tapah, Perak, caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced his agreement to write off approximately RM 233.8 million of debts owed as a reward, provided that he and the cabinet were successfully returned to the federal government by loyal voters after the election.

These, Yeoh said were examples that reflected poorly on the current caretaker government and should be called out.

“It is also important to note that Malaysia has had minimal experience with power transition at the federal level,” she said adding that that was why the role of the caretaker government was vital in ensuring that a smooth transition to the new government will take place.