Financial constraints hindering Pakatan government's efforts to deliver: Mahathir

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said there were many things that the Pakatan government wanted to do for the people. However, its plans could not be carried out because of the government's financial situation. PHOTO: REUTERS

CYBERJAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Efforts by Pakatan Harapan to deliver the promises it made during the last general election have been hindered by financial constraints, says Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

He said there were many things that the Pakatan government wanted to do for the people.

However, its plans could not be carried out because of the government's financial situation, Tun Dr Mahathir added.

"We have a lot of problems. Believe me, we don't have the money. It has been stolen, that is the main problem," he said on Tuesday (April 16).

The Prime Minister was questioned on Council of Eminent Persons chairman Daim Zainuddin's statement that the Pakatan government was expected to deliver on promises made in the 14th General Election in six months.

Tun Daim said he expected the people to return to supporting the government once it delivered on its promises, especially by paying more attention to the economy.

On the recently concluded Rantau by-election, Dr Mahathir said Pakatan's defeat was not something out of the ordinary.

Despite the result, he said the status quo remained the same - that there was no change in government caused by the defeat.

"Most government parties during by-elections will not get a lot of support because the voters know there will be no change in the government.

"Whatever happens in the by-election, whether the government party wins or not, the government remains the same.

"In Negeri Sembilan, the state government is still Pakatan," said Dr Mahathir, who is Pakatan chairman.

He was asked for his opinion on the results, which saw the coalition losing its third consecutive by-election in 2019.

In the Rantau by-election, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan defeated Pakatan's Dr S. Streram by 4,510 votes.

Two other independent candidates, R. Malarvizhi and Mohd Nor Yasin, garnered 83 and 79 votes respectively.

Datuk Seri Mohamad had won the seat unopposed in GE14 last year after his would-be opponent Dr Streram failed to produce his tag or pass.

However, an election petition filed by Dr Streram to declare Mr Mohamad's walkover as not valid triggered the by-election.

Popularly known as Tok Mat, Mr Mohamad, the former Negri Sembilan menteri besar, had held the Rantau seat since 2004.

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