GEORGE TOWN, 8 APR: In contrast to the Barisan Nasional (BN) government which has yet to act in accordance with the limits of a caretaker government, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state governments have demonstrated clearly that they mean business about drawing the line between public and party.

Today, the Penang state government returned its official vehicles to the State Secretary, Farizan Darus. By refusing to use official property of the government after the Penang State Assembly was dissolved on Friday, the Pakatan Rakyat government demonstrates an act of integrity and transparent governance.

“Government official vehicles should not be misused for personal use or for the party. It should only be used for official State Government business. This is in accordance with our integrity pledge, although we are only acting as a caretaker government,” Penang caretaker Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told the media in Komtar today.

Lim together with his state Exco lineup handed over the keys to Farizan Darus at a ceremony held in Penang today, signaling that Pakatan Rakyat would not be using any official government property during the campaign period for the 2013 election. He said that the state’s drivers would only be on duty during office hours and when attending state government functions.

Last week, the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat state government released guidelines for the caretaker government. In accordance with the guidelines, Selangor state executive councillors returned their official vehicles.

When the state assembly is dissolved, technically the state government is also “dissolved” and becomes a “caretaker” government with limited powers. For instance, a caretaker government should avoid making key policy decisions, awarding major development projects or signing significant contracts.

In contrast, the Barisan Nasional federal government, which announced the dissolution of parliament on 3 April last week, has yet to take any steps to act in accordance to convention. In fact, today three Information Department trucks have been spotted during the launch of the Batu BN operation centre by Umno deputy chief Muhyiddin Yassin. BN continues to misuse public property for its private gain. -The Rocket

See our previous article on the DOs and DONTs of a caretaker government here: http://www.therocket.com.my/en/caretaker-governments-dos-and-donts/