KUALA LUMPUR – Dismissing claims that the government has ulterior motives in organising the Madani Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in six states, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said it is an effort to reach out to the people and is not wasteful.
The prime minister said the open house was not a personal undertaking by him but was a government programme aimed at getting closer to the rakyat.
“Governments everywhere do it (open house events). It is not a waste because we give food to the people. To me, it is not wasteful.
“If it was organised in my personal capacity, including family, it would be appropriate to use money from my own pocket. But this is a government programme for the people and it is far cheaper to be held in Alor Star, Kedah than in Putrajaya,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Jaminul Ehsan, Kg Kubu Gajah in Sg Buloh here. Also present was Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. – Bernama, April 28, 2023
