GE13: What the URBAN ELECTORATE wants?

FIFTY-FIVE years after Independence, Malaysia now has an educated, ambitious urban electorate, most of whom are, or aspire to be, PMEBs (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Businessmen). This urban corpus contributes most of Malaysia's current and potential movers, shakers, influentials and opinion leaders across all fields, besides also forming the largest constituent of our 1.2 million strong taxpayer base.

With elections imminent, theSun journalists spoke to several of our elected representatives to understand the main priorities and issues identified by six political parties, and to examine if these are consonant with the priorities and concerns voiced by the urban electorate and PMEBs.

By juxtaposing the politicians' perspectives against these real issues and concerns, theSun is providing a mirror for the urban electorate to examine if their MPs understand and respect their concerns, and for the political parties (and MPs) to reexamine if they are in touch with the urban electorate whom they profess to represent and whose composite influence is likely to affect electoral swings at the hustings.

TheSun spoke with several MPs in the august halls of the Parliament last week to understand the fundamental issues and priorities which their parties, and themselves, seek to address as they go into and after the 13th general elections.

This modus operandi allows us to identify the actual, "top-of-mind" issues and priorities of these political parties (and MPs), as contrasted with the rehearsed rhetoric which is often repeated in election manifestos and public rallies.

NET 'TAKE-OUT'

The educated urban electorate, especially PMEBs have moved on beyond the basic bottom tiers of Maslow's Need Hierarchy. They are seeking a safer and more secure environment which facilitates socio-economic progress, enhances confidence for business and scope of professional growth.

They have similar expectations from both sides of the political divide-seeking an end to race-based and divisive policies that impede progress. Detesting policies which adversely affect public morale, they desire true unity instead of "1Malaysia PR-speak". Lack of trust and transparency is obvious in the independent functioning of several government institutions and deployment of taxpayers' money.

They want social reforms that guarantee civil rights, and an end to monopolies and protectionism which reduce individual, professional and business confidence. They are demanding accountability for wrongs instead of seeing blatant corruption swept under the carpet.

However, these "top-of-mind" issues, gleaned from MPs across the political divide, apparently reflect a lack of understanding and respect for the real concerns and priorities of the urban electorate. They apparently cater to the parties' perceived vote banks.

BARISAN NASIONAL

Having relied on the rural electorate for decades, BN appears most concerned with grassroots efforts, food, shelter and decent jobs. However, several MPs from the BN raised other issues besides the bread-and-butter factors during interviews conducted by theSun.

Temerloh MPDatuk Saifuddin Abdullah felt the top priority was the implementation of a true democracy, starting with commitment to repeal archaic laws; "... in order to win, we need support from the middle ground, and they form 30%of the electorate". "It is new for BN, not our forte, we are used to bread and butter issues ... I think BN is ready to accept the challenge and we are familiarising ourselves with issues of democracy," he said.

The deputy higher education minister has often been regarded as one of the moderate voices within Umno, often not toeing the prescribed party line.

Johor Baru MPDatuk Shahrir Samad also pointed out that the elections will be won by the side which can practice good governance, or at least appear to do so. "If we see the US presidency, issues that come up are employment and job opportunities, which come from a well-managed economy. That is the role of the government; good governance and economic planning," said the former minister.

Other BN component parties, while appearing to share the same need for ongoing development, also zeroed in on perceived specific "problems" of the community they represent.

Human Resource Minister and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the party has since 2008 addressed the issues of Tamil schools and citizenship for Indians. "PM (Najib) has given nearly RM500 million over the past three years (for Tamil schools), and the Indians can see the effect of that. Another concern is opportunities in terms of placements in universities, government services and business opportunities," he noted.

This however appears to meet demands from only a segment of the Indian voters, largely from the lower-income group and still deeply attached to their predominantly Tamil working-class roots.

MIC's Hulu SelangorMP P. Kamalanathan also said the partywill continue to push for creation of more Indian entrepreneurs through offering assistance in the form of start-up funds.

PAKATAN RAKYAT

Such focus is also seen among MPs from East Malaysia who said much still has to be done to develop their constituencies, despite representing two of the country's wealthiest states.

The opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition members know that the March 2008 election results rode on the heavy urban vote that swung in their favour.

While not discounting the need for development, the opposition MPs are aware of the demand for good governance and transparency in dealing with tax-payers money. This demand goes beyond racial, religious or ethnic lines which have dominated previous election campaigns, and is something which Pakatan MPs realise will not work in their favour, particularly when it comes to meeting expectations of some 30%of electorates which falls under the "middle-ground" category.

Several new voters falling in this category would be casting their votes for the first time, with many remaining "on-the-fence" until the crucial last moments before polling day.

PAS Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had said if Pakatan gains power, it will implement "colour-blind" affirmative actions to allow for sustainable growth. "We will not cannibalise resources of our future generations, and will dismantle monopolies while having commissions to look into unfair contracts. We will also address disparity in income, wealth and opportunity," he said.

This also formed the basis of economic policies within the Pakatan's shadow budget, which it has pledged to implement if voted into power.

The issue of sustainable development is also very close to the hearts of Pakatan MPs. PKR vice-president Fuziah Salleh who has been an active campaigner against a rare-earth processing plant in her constituency. "For me, personally it would be to review license of Lynas," said Fuziah in reference to Australia-based Lynas Corporation which is set to kick-start operations of its RM250 million plant inGebeng despite massive public outcry.

She also stressed on the importance of having a clean electoral roll, starting with a transparent and independent Election Commission. "Media must also be free and fair, without which, campaigns ahead of the elections will be biased," she said.

Both these concerns had sparked at least three massive rallies since 2009, besides numerous other smaller gatherings. Thousands of previously apathetic urbanites took to the streets, despite heavy crackdowns, to get their voices heard.

It is certainly unwise to ignore the strength of these voices, though BN has apparently chosen to do so, by clamping down hard on the protesters and launching 'probes' which do little to inspire confidence or trust.

In contrast, Pakatan has jumped on the civil society bandwagon with gusto. Whether they did so because of genuine belief in the cause, or because of vote-bank priorities, is left to be seen.

The next election is likely to be the most unpredictable in Malaysian political history. Ignoring or circumventing urban electorate and PMEB concerns may well cost a political party and its representatives dearly.

-thesundaily