The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) said the role of a caretaker government was unclear in Malaysia, while nations like Australia and Canada have come up with caretaker conventions that outline the responsibilities of interim administrations.

IDEAS CEO Tricia Yeoh called for Malaysia to also adopt such conventions or implement a Caretaker Government Regulatory Act for clearer and stricter guidelines for future caretaker administrations.

“This is to ensure that the risk of abuse of power by those in the caretaker government can be minimised, and better yet, curbed,” she said in a statement.

Yeoh said that at an event in Tapah, Perak, on Oct 17, the caretaker prime minister announced his agreement to write off RM233.8 million in debts owed by Felcra settlers “as a reward”, provided that he was successfully voted back into power.

She said it reflected poorly on the caretaker government and should be called out.

Yeoh said a caretaker government’s role was simply to handle administrative affairs until the next administration was formed.

This meant that it cannot pass, sign or undertake any agreements or pledges and should not make new political appointments or any major procurements or budgetary decisions.

“It is also important to note that Malaysia has had minimal experience with power transition at the federal level. This is why the role of the caretaker government is vital in ensuring that a smooth transition to the new government will take place,” she said.

During the event in Tapah, Ismail also announced that a total of RM191 million would be spent on monsoon season aid for 232,319 Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) smallholders.

Ismail also said RM181.5 million in interim profit distribution would be paid in stages from Oct 17 to 74,949 Felcra settlers nationwide.

Bersih and several former opposition MPs had hit out at Ismail over the announcement, saying he did not have the power to write off the debts as the caretaker prime minister.