The Pahang government is not bankrupt as alleged by the opposition despite owing huge loans to the federal government, said Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob.

He said the situation was not worrying as the state's revenue and expenditures were evaluated in the interest of the people.

"We must understand that all these are for the people... we built low-cost houses, paid civil servant salaries.

"Some people may say that you manage to pay by asking the federal government (for the money). Is the federal government not our government?

bukit komon gold mine 020306 adnan pc "The federal government is our government," he told reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting in Temerloh yesterday.

He said so far the state government had taken loans totalling RM2.2 billion from the federal government.

On claims that his administration had failed to govern the state efficiently, he dismissed it as a slander as the opposition was bankrupt of ideas to be raised in the Kerdau state by-election's campaign.

He said since he became menteri besar in 1999, the state government had tabled deficit budgets only twice compared to six surplus budgets and three balanced budgets.

Asked whether the issue will affect BN's chances in the by-election, Adnan said the people would not be hoodwinked by such propaganda although he feared that it would mislead the people.

He said Kerdau residents were more interested in choosing a representative who could be tasked with the responsibility of looking after their well-being.

- Bernama