and in the interim, Barisan Nasional is now the caretaker of the Federal Government until polling day.
In keeping with the distinction between the state and government, the public services should continue carrying out their duties to ensure a functioning bureaucracy. Institut Rakyat stresses that the following guidelines must be observed.
Since every election carries the possibility of a change in government, the caretaker government must adjust the way it behaves and makes decisions until the new government is formed.
The caretaker government must not make major policy decisions that are likely to commit an incoming government, make significant appointments, and enter into new contracts, transactions or deals.
The caretaker government should not use public property paid for by taxpayers’ funds, including public halls, access to mass media, government vehicles, and so on. Civil servants should also not be used for partisan campaigning. This is to ensure a clear separation between the state and political parties.
In the coming days, Institut Rakyat will closely monitor the behaviour of the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat caretaker governments for any contravention of these principles.
