Former Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron says that he is open to criticism, but the Pakatan Harapan-led state government should not criticise the former administration without basis.
“You are no longer opposition leaders and do not need to continue criticising the previous government without facts and figures. I am open to brickbats if it is true I mismanaged the state,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (May 23).
Idris said that allegations about excessive spending on face-lifting Seri Bendahara, the chief minister’s residence, were illogical as repair works were carried out by the state Public Works Department following structural defects, including a burst water tank.
“The maintenance and uplift works at Seri Bendahara were done in 2013, 2016 and 2017 and all records of expenditure were kept.
Idris said Seri Bendahara in Ayer Keroh had stood for 15 years and thousands of people had visited since it was opened.
“Now, the current state government paints a picture that the official residence was closed to the public all this time and that is untrue,” he said.
Idris said the statement by Chief Minister Adly Zahari on Monday (May 21) that Seri Bendahara was now open to the public to show what kind of leaders the state previously had was uncalled for.
“The state government should focus on realising more prosperity for the locals, not pick on the previous government,” he said.
On Monday, when addressing public servants in the state, Adly said Seri Bendahara would be open for public viewing until June 14 from 9am to 4.30pm daily.
“Some people asked me why the decision was made because it is strange and never done by the previous state government.
“This is because we want the people to see and experience for themselves the lives of the leaders they chose in past elections,” Adly was quoted as saying.
– The Star