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Abdullah should announce the do’s and don’ts of a caretaker government after dissolution to fulfill his pledge of a clean , incorruptible, accountable and responsible administration Media Statement by Lim Kit Siang (Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): The Prime Minster Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday reminded the civil servants to carry out their responsibility efficiently even when the country is under a caretaker government after the dissolution of parliament to hold the next General Elections. DAP calls on Abdullah to announce the do’s and don’ts of a caretaker government after dissolution of Parliament to fulfill his pledge of a clean , incorruptible, accountable and responsible administration. This is because in the past elections, the Barisan Nasional leaders especially Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers at the Federal level and Chief Ministers, Mernteri Besars and State Excos at the state level, had abused their caretaker government status and misuse government position and resources to win votes. After the dissolution of Parliament for instance, Cabinet Ministers should not travel as ministers using official transport for any election campaign purpose. In India, the former PM Indira Gandhi was disqualified both as an MP and PM because she used a government helicopter for a party campaigning purpose. Abdullah should declare that when Parliament is dissolved, no Cabinet Minister would be allowed to spend a single cent of Government fund for electioneering purpose and that any infraction of this directive will lead to his/her dismissal from the Barisan Nasional, apart from being a violation of the election law. Abdullah should also state very clearly that he will set an example of no abuse of the caretaker government status by not using any official resources including transportation in his capacity as caretaker prime minister to campaign as BN chairman. If Abdullah is prepare to make such a clear stand on the do’s and don’ts of a caretaker government, setting high standard of public honesty and propriety for all government leaders, he will then be fulfilling his pledge for a clean, incorruptible, accountable and responsible administration. The Election Commission should also declare its stand on the do’s and don’ts of a caretaker government as it is an important component of a clean, free and fair election. The Election Commission Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman has warned against unethical electoral practices like falsely promising that voters can get a passage to heaven. He should also be concerned about the unethical practices from the misuse and abuses of power during the caretaker government period.
* Lim Kit Siang, DAP National Chairman |