Anwar, who said that he had been informed of such a plan, claimed he “neither consented nor approved the plan”.

He added he was told by the department in charge that the plan to set up these billboards was executed using existing funds “that were transferred” following the change in government.

“I understand that but such allocations can be used for other things.

“Therefore, I have ordered the production of new billboards be halted,” he said, adding that he considered such expenditure unnecessary.

“Let us stick to what we have at the moment. I do not want this matter to go on since it does not reflect the stance of the Madani government,” he told reporters at the Malaysia Madani Raya Aidilfitri Open House at Hotel Raia here.

Anwar just wanted to reach out to rakyat, says Fahmi

Meanwhile, communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil disagreed with Bersih’s claim that Putrajaya’s decision to host Hari Raya open houses in six states is politically motivated.

He said that Anwar, being a “people-centric” leader, wanted to hold open houses in the six states to hear the grouses of the people during these events.

“I am sure the prime minister would then order the Cabinet to resolve the problems plaguing the people in the states he visits.”

Fahmi also said Anwar would be heading to Sabah tomorrow to attend a Hari Raya open house there even though the state is not having its legislative election this year.

Bersih had called for laws to regulate and tighten government expenditure following Putrajaya’s decision to host Hari Raya open houses in states that will be having their elections soon — Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

The electoral reform group’s chairman, Thomas Fann, told FMT that the accusations levelled against Anwar by several quarters that these events were politically motivated, due to the looming polls, were not without merit.

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