Government’s focus not only on promises but also includes “cleaning up” corruption and abuse of power of past administration.
- Efforts to fulfil all 10 promises in 100 days conducted in orderly manner according to laws
- Obstacles include problems in civil service
- Committed to realising the 60 promises and 40 initiatives in manifesto
- Honouring return of 20 percent royalty from oil and gas to Terengganu and Kelantan
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has fulfilled two out of its 10 promises in 100 days, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
However, he has conceded that the government may not be able to realise all the 10 promises in 100 days as pledged in the PH manifesto.
He said this was because the government had to prioritise other important matters.
“The government’s focus is not only on the 10 promises in 100 days, the government has a lot of work to do and this includes ‘cleaning up’ the government which was tainted with corrupt practices and abuse of power during the past administration.
“Having said that, we have conducted a proper study for the best mechanism to implement the pledges, which have been placed under the attention of the ministries involved.
“For instance, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is studying the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for housewives,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Dr Mahathir said 70 days into its administration, six promises were in the midst of implementation while two more have yet to be carried out.
He said that efforts to fulfil all the 10 promises in 100 days are being done in an orderly manner according to the laws.
Dr Mahathir said some of the promises are facing hurdles due to laws and some problems in the civil service.
“Some officers are unable to carry out their duties and need to be replaced, and the new officers who come to replace them do not have enough experience.
“These are just some of the obstacles that we are facing,” he added.
Dr Mahathir, however, stressed that the government is committed to realising the 60 promises and 40 initiatives stated in its manifesto.
He reiterated that not all can be accomplished within 100 days of the pact taking power, as that would require proper study and planning, and as such, would require time.
He also pointed out that some pledges were delivered swiftly, such as those related to the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).
Responding to an additional question from Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau), Dr Mahathir said PH did not treat its election manifesto as an agreement that would bind the coalition.
“I am aware that the Honourable Member deemed (election) manifesto as a ‘holy book’.
“We (in PH) embraced the manifesto but not to an extent of it (promises) prevent us from progressing.
“To us, manifesto is not Quran or Bible. When challenges arise, we need to find ways to face it,” he said.
To another additional question from Siti Zalihah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang), Dr Mahathir said the Government is committed to honouring its pledges in returning 20 percent royalty from the oil and gas industry to Terengganu and Kelantan.
“We promised to deliver the pledges made involving oil and gas royalty. We will not deviate from honouring such promise.
“We hope the royalty could be used for the good of the state and not for strengthening (political) parties and other forms of abuse,” he said.