Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has criticised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, claiming that the Federal Government should not view states as being entirely dependent on it after gaining administrative power.
Sanusi said such a perception was inaccurate, arguing that the Federal Government exists through the agreement of the states that transferred certain powers through historical agreements including the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1948, the Independence Agreement 1957 and the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
He claimed that some quarters appeared to believe states would struggle without federal assistance, stressing that the relationship between the federal and state governments was based on shared responsibilities.
“After gaining power over the states, it seems as though they think all states depend on them. Kedah depends on the Federation, Johor depends on it, Perak, Pahang and Terengganu also depend on it.
“But they must remember that the Federal Government exists because powers were entrusted by the states,” he said during a mega ceramah for N32 Endau at Dataran Mersing Kanan on Thursday.
Sanusi said federal allocations and development projects should be viewed as responsibilities carried out according to constitutional duties, rather than being used as political tools during election campaigns.
“When power is given, it comes with responsibility. What is done is an obligation, not an act of kindness, not voluntary and not something to persuade people to support a certain party.
“If I became Prime Minister, I would also have to do the same because it is a responsibility,” he said.
He also claimed that Anwar and several federal ministers had been frequently campaigning during the Johor state election, creating the impression that the contest was no longer between political parties but between the federal and state governments.
Sanusi said elections should involve competition between parties and not rely on the advantages of holding government positions.
“He comes with promises to the people of Johor and uses the name of the Federal Government. The Federal Government should not be used in this way. This election should be about parties competing against parties.
“I am here tonight representing Perikatan Nasional, not bringing the Kedah Government. We compete as political parties, that is the proper way,” he said.
