It is not fair to ask the government to come up with money when it mediates between two parties, one that is not getting paid, Second Finance Minister Johari Abdul Ghani said today.

"Is it fair that everytime the government tries to mediate, it means the government guarantees (payment)?

"This is public money, this is your money, my money. We are taxpayers, we have to protect this country," Johari told Malaysiakini.