PERMATANG PAUH (Bernama): It is not easy for the new government to repair a 60-year system left behind by the previous government, says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (pic).

The Deputy Prime Minister said the new government needs time to do it.

She said for 60 years, Malaysia was administered by the Barisan Nasional government and after Pakatan Harapan took over, the country was burdened with huge debts.

"For 60 years, there was no change in the government. When we took over, we do not have enough funds. This is a fact... the debts, if we don't pay, we will head towards bankruptcy.

"We (Pakatan government) are only eight-months-old, it is not easy to repair an old system. This is not an excuse. We make efforts by holding meetings, setting up committees, on how we can reduce the living cost that we feel is burdening the people,” she said at a programme "An evening with the Deputy Prime Minister" here on Sunday (March 3).

Also present were Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin.

Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Pakatan president, admitted weaknesses in the new government with most of its Cabinet members being new faces with no experience in the country's administration.

"The government has its weaknesses. I admit, we are not perfect... our Cabinet members are new, except for (Prime Minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and (Home Minister) Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"(Finance Minister) Lim Guan Eng and (Economic Affairs Minister) Datuk Seri Azmin Ali have experience administering a state.

“Other than them, they are all new faces. We have to be realistic. However, we will try to rectify the situation,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dr Wan Azizah said she and her family were grateful to the people of Permatang Pauh for always supporting them, beginning with her husband, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PKR president, and now their daughter, Nurul Izzah.

Dr Wan Azizah said although she was no longer their elected representative, she would always remember the deeds of the Permatang Pauh constituents for continuously supporting them.

"I'll never forget the deeds of the Permatang Pauh people. I am indebted to them,” she said. - Bernama