PUTRAJAYA – A caretaker prime minister can carry out the functions of a caretaker government, according to Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
In a statement today on the functions and roles of a caretaker government, Zuki said even though the federal constitution does not specifically provide for the functions and roles of a caretaker government, based on conventions of a parliamentary democracy system among Commonwealth countries, it only functions to administer the country until a new government is formed.
“In this regard, the caretaker government may act for the purpose of carrying out government administrative affairs.
“Nonetheless, the caretaker government cannot make decisions or policies that could bind or take any action that could have financial implications and burdens on the new government to be formed, other than actions that need to be implemented for public interest,” he said.
Yesterday, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah consented to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin carrying out the duties of a caretaker prime minister until a new one is appointed.
The appointment of the caretaker prime minister was made after the king received the resignation letter of Muhyiddin as prime minister, as well as of the entire cabinet, effective yesterday.
Elaborating on the role of the caretaker government, Zuki said the caretaker government can carry out routine official duties and execute powers provided under the law to ensure the government continues to function.
He said the caretaker government can also hold official meetings on the government’s administrative affairs.
He said the caretaker government can continue to implement existing policies and programmes based on financial allocations approved before the prime minister resigned, such as for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, the National Recovery Plan and others.
“The caretaker government can also implement any contract agreements and pledges of any policies that have been approved by the government or when the allocation was passed in Parliament, such as the current year Budget,” he said.
Zuki said the caretaker government can also hold meetings or attend official functions already scheduled for certain government projects or programmes. – Bernama, August 17, 2021
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