THE Pakatan Harapan manifesto, popularly known as the “Book of Hope” (Buku Harapan), is not a sacred text that the government is bound by, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

However, the PH administration remains committed to delivering on its pledges to the people, the prime minister said during question time in Parliament today.

Dr Mahathir said PH faces many obstacles in delivering on its promises, such as certain laws and government officers who object to the implementation of some policies.

“This hampers our work to deliver on the pledges. But, we also don’t want to sin, even if we don’t look at (the manifesto) as if it is the Bible or Quran.

“When we face problems, we will find ways to go around them.”

He was replying to Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau), who asked Dr Mahathir about his recent remarks that the PH manifesto was not a “kitab” (sacred text), but a guide.

“You said some of the pledges cannot be fulfilled, as they may not be practical,” said Khairy.

“How many more pledges will fall under this category?” he said, using the RM1,500 minimum wage promise as an example.

Dr Mahathir replied: “I didn’t know you take the manifesto to be a sacred text. We take it as a manifesto. We don’t let it bind us until we cannot move.”

PH, in its manifesto, promised to deliver on 10 election pledges in 100 days.

Earlier, Dr Mahathir answered a verbal question by Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang), who asked the government which pledges have been fulfilled.

The prime minister said within 70 days of coming into power, PH has fulfilled two out of the 10 pledges.

“The administration is in the process of fulfilling six. There are two we have not started on yet. But, we are committed to delivering on the promises.”

He said not all the pledges could be delivered on within 100 days as the government must follow the law, and study the mechanism and related agencies that would implement the said pledges.

He cited the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) scheme for housewives as an example.

PH has promised to start a 2% EPF scheme for housewives without fixed incomes. The 2% comes from the 11% contributed by their working husbands.

To fulfil this promise, however, the administration must first deal with a provision in the EPF Act that disallows members’ contributions from being assigned or transferred.

“Some pledges can be done directly, like removing 400,000 PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corporation) loan defaulters from the Immigration Department travel blacklist,” said Dr Mahathir.

He said PH has many things to look into in its first 100 days, and cannot focus solely on the 10 pledges.

“We have to clean up the government due to the damage caused by corruption and power abuse by the former administration.

“We have to trace and get back money that was lost, and reform national institutions.”

Dr Mahathir told Fong that the cabinet will monitor the progress of the delivery of the pledges.

The prime minister took an additional question from Siti Zailah Muhd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang), who asked about the government’s mechanism in giving oil royalties to the PAS-controlled Kelantan and Terengganu.

He said the government will see it through while ensuring that the process is not abused.

“The royalties will be for the use of the states, not to strengthen (political) parties and so on.”

Sarawak MP Alexander Nanta Linggi (PBB-Kapit) asked Dr Mahathir about oil royalties for Sarawak and Sabah.

“YAB (Dr Mahathir), 20% oil royalties for Sarawak and Sabah, too, please. Can we get it also?” said the lawmaker from the former Barisan Nasional component.

Dr Mahathir said oil royalties are for all oil-producing states.

“The 20% will be from the profits gained.”

Dr Mahathir told reporters at the Parliament lobby that some of PH’s pledges cannot be fulfilled overnight.

“It takes time. We made promises, but we have to act according to the law. Sometimes, dealing with the law takes time.”

He said PH must also give attention to the problems it has identified after capturing Putrajaya.

“There are certain things… like the RM50 EPF top-up for housewives. We must take into consideration the situation the country is in.” – July 19, 2018.