Sanusi: Stop claiming government achievements as election promises

MERSING - Pas election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has criticised parties aligned with the federal government for using Putrajaya's achievements as campaign material in the Johor state election, arguing that government duties should not be turned into political capital.

Speaking at the Pas Ceramah Mega in Dataran Meding Kanan, Sanusi said elections should be contested on the strength of political parties and their policies, not by claiming credit for the work of the federal administration.

“They come here using the name of the federal government. In reality, they should not be using the federal government in an election campaign. An election is a contest between political parties.

“When I come here tonight, I come as Pas. I stand on Pas’ own strength. We use the Perikatan Nasional logo. I am not bringing the state government with me,” he told the crowd. 

The Menteri Besar Kedah also accused Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders of portraying the federal government’s work as though it were a special favour to voters, saying the administration was merely carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

“They go around boasting about all the great things the federal government has done, as if the government belongs to them.

“What they are doing is their responsibility. It is not a favour. It is not charity. It is not something they do out of goodwill or simply because they want people to vote for their party.

“They are doing it because it is their duty as the federal government,” he said.

Sanusi argued that federal leaders should not expect political support in exchange for implementing policies or development programmes, as those were obligations attached to governing the country.

He also took aim at campaign messages urging Johor voters to back PH on the grounds that it currently leads the federal government.

“If I were Prime Minister - who knows, maybe one day I will be - I would have to do those things too. They are my responsibilities and obligations.

“How can I take something that is compulsory and then boast that I am a good person because I did it? It is my duty in the first place,” he said.

A total of 33 candidates are contesting under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) banner in the Johor state election, comprising 16 from Bersatu, 11 from Pas, five from the Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) and one from Pejuang.

Voters head to the polls tomorrow to elect Johor's 16th state government.