The Pulai MP told reporters at the Parliament lobby that he was only trying to solve the problems raised by the people in the constituency.

When asked why the upgrade had been announced in such proximity to the polls, he said: “What happens if fishermen are hurt at these jetties? There’s no point waiting to announce the allocation just because the by-election is near.”

He added that it is a minister’s responsibility to make public any allocations or policies that can benefit the people, regardless of timing.

Former prime minister Najib Razak previously criticised the government for announcing the allocation to upgrade jetties in Tanjung Piai just ahead of the by-election there.

Salahuddin had said that improvements would be made to three jetties with the provision of basic facilities such as refrigerated storage and stalls for small enterprises.

“Maybe Najib is passionate about fighting for the voice of the people as this is his first time in the opposition. That’s good,” he said today.

“But what we want to do here is to fulfil our promises to the people, regardless of whether it’s a by-election or general election.”

He added that the plans to upgrade the jetties are also to fulfil a promise made by the late Tanjung Piai MP Dr Md Farid Md Rafik, who had pledged to implement projects worth about RM14 million in a proposal approved by the Cabinet.