KULIM: The new federal government will not allow the prime minister who is also the finance minister to approve projects and multi-billion ringgit of borrowings at whims and fancies.
Economic Affairs Minister Rafizi Ramli assured that the unity government would impose tighter scrutiny on government expenses to prevent large case scandals while referring to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) as an example.
"The days where the prime minister or the finance minister can casually come up with a project and borrowing RM40 billion is over.
"So, we have to be very careful with every single sen and the scrutiny will be much tighter.
"The space and opportunities for large scale scandals like 1MDB are more difficult now than (it was) before.
"Don't forget, this is a unity government, there is no absolute power held by a single party.
"The space to spend (government fund) lavishly at whims and fancies is over," the PKR deputy president told reporters after taking part in the Padang Serai parliamentary election rally here last night.
Rafizi, who is also Pandan member of parliament said Anwar's administration main focus now was to face impending global recession which expected to in the next three to four months.
He said among the immediate focus of the Cabinet was to improve economy policies and the people's livelihood.