CHANGES are taking place in the federal government but they won’t happen overnight, said Khalid Samad.

The Amanah communication director acknowledged the criticism hurled towards Pakatan Harapan but assured that it’s working as hard to fulfil its election manifesto.

“I am sure that all of us (Amanah leaders) on stage today would want every manifesto promise to be fulfilled. Not one of us would say no. However, it is not as easy as it seems. There are obstacles, such as the economy, national financial issues and scandals that we are paying the debt.

“We are going to implement it but it will take time. I can assure you that we will fulfil the promises,” the Federal Territories minister said in his winding-up speech today.

Khalid said it’s also not easy for the first-term ministers to get along with officers from the previous Barisan Nasional administration.

“We cannot just fire those who don’t get along with us. There is a system to adhere. We were the opposition before and we criticised them hard. So, it is not easy for certain civil servants to work with us now. We criticise them before but now they have to work for us. Some can’t accept this.

“For example, the communications and multimedia minister requested to have one of his officers replaced but it took nine months for the request to be approved. His ministry was BN’s fortress. That is why some programmes have yet to succeed,” he added.

Yesterday, an Amanah delegate said Gobind Singh Deo should be replaced in an event of cabinet reshuffle.

Sarawak member Andri Zulkarnaen listed the DAP man as a non-performer.

“I want to say that the ministers who are not performing must be changed, regardless of any party. So, among the ministers who need to be changed, is the communications (and multimedia) minister.”

Two Amanah delegates also criticised the government over the absence of coverage for the party’s national convention which commenced yesterday.

Penang delegate Mohd Saifullah Abd Nasir asked why the party, now part of the government, didn’t get live coverage for its national convention.

Instead, the Umno general assembly, which ended yesterday, was broadcast live. – December 8, 2019.