ALOR SETAR: The prime minister had made it clear that he does not want his face plastered on billboards across the country as this is not in line with the Malaysia Madani concept.
“I was on my way to Alor Setar on Friday and I was told about billboards featuring me all over the country. I said that there is no need to spend money on this,” said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking to reporters after the Malaysia Madani Open House here yesterday, Anwar said these billboards had been put up by government departments using allocations from the previous government.
He said the money allocated for these billboards could have been used for better purposes, such as helping those in need, and he had told the relevant agencies that he does not want any more of such billboards in future.
However, he added that the billboards that were already up will remain, and he does not blame the officers involved as they were only “continuing an existing policy”.
Earlier, in his speech, he said the Federal Government has allocated RM1.6bil to develop Kedah, a higher amount than in previous years. The allocation does not include other aid such as assistance for schools and clinics, and also several water supply projects at certain districts.
Meanwhile, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the six-month leadership of the unity government has shown positive results, where inflation has been controlled and decreased to 3.4% last month.
He said the current administration also has less bureaucracy, and if this continues, he believes the people will trust the unity government.
When asked how he felt about the Malaysia Madani Open House event in Kedah, Fahmi said he was happy to see Kedahans coming out in droves to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“The atmosphere was very positive and buoyant – a lot of people came from Perlis, Penang and even Selangor,” he added.
Fahmi said he also hopes that the event can improve the relationship between Kedahans, as well as the relationship between the state government and Federal Government.
Some 10,000 people thronged the hotel to catch a glimpse of Anwar during the four-hour event that began at 10am.
Kedah Ruler Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah also graced the event together with Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Among other guests at the event were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof; Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming; Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifudin Nasution Ismail and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
Other notable leaders included Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar.
