'Why so calculative?': Saifuddin defends govt's open house drive

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the Malaysia Madani Aidilfitri open house with the prime minister, slated to be held in six states starting with Kedah on April 29, will not be a waste but is rather an effort to celebrate and fete the people in conjunction with the occasion.

Saifuddin said the provision of food such as ketupat and lemang as well as satay at the open houses would not involve excessive costs.

"Why would we be so calculative about having open houses to celebrate Aidilfitri with the people? The ketupat and lemang will not cost that much. I don’t see any issue... how would it be a waste?

"Other than lemang, ketupat and satay, there will also be booths offering cendol and ais kacang, and they are not that expensive. Insha Allah, it won’t be a waste," he said at a press conference in Bukit Kayu Hitam yesterday.

Saifuddin said this in response to a report quoting Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as saying that the open houses were part of programmes held in view of the upcoming state elections and should not be organised.
 
Sanusi was also quoted as saying that the programmes would involve high costs despite the federal government’s austerity drive. He proposed that the open house be held only in Putrajaya as usual.

This year’s open houses are slated to be held in Kedah (April 29), Penang (May 6), Negeri Sembilan (May 7), Kelantan (May 12), Terengganu (May 13) and Selangor (May 14).

Saifuddin, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretary-general, said the open houses were not election campaign programmes, but rather an approach for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to reach out and meet with the people.

He said the PAS-led Kedah government and all of the people, including Sanusi, were welcome to attend the open house in the state on April 29.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin said that the seat distribution between PH and Barisan Nasional for the elections in the six states was running smoothly.

"There is no problem in the negotiation process. I can say that it’s progressing well," he added.