Rafizi raises concern over alleged use of government machinery in Johor election campaign

JOHOR BAHRU – Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) leader Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has raised concerns over what he describes as the increasing use of government machinery and official programmes for campaigning purposes during the Johor state election.

The former Economy Minister said the trend contradicts the government’s stated commitment to combating corruption and ensuring prudent use of public funds under the current Madani administration.

He pointed out that such practices were heavily criticised in the past, particularly when Pakatan Harapan (PH) was in opposition prior to the 2018 General Election (GE).

“Previously, the issue of using government assets or agencies during elections was very sensitive, but now it appears to have been normalised.

“Government agencies organise programmes and then ministers and candidates attend the same programmes to campaign,” he said at a press conference in Taman Sri Tebrau on Tuesday.

Rafizi, who is also the former Pandan Member of Parliament (MP), said he had received complaints from civil servants alleging that certain ministry-level programmes involving public universities and hospitals had disrupted normal operations.

“I myself have been in government and I know this kind of thing can happen.

“That is why when I was a minister, I instructed ministries not to get involved in any political campaign,” he said.

He added that the situation was particularly worrying given the government’s ongoing cost-cutting measures, which include reductions in allocations for several ministries due to fiscal constraints and subsidy pressures.

“The government says it needs to save money, with cuts made to various ministries including health and higher education.

“But at the same time, we see government agencies appearing in campaign programmes everywhere,” he said.