Harapan manifesto tries to balance Malay agenda and other races

Pakatan Harapan, taking cognisance that its primary opponent is Umno, has incorporated issues close to the Malay community in its manifesto.

But at the same time, the coalition also included demands that have long been made by the Chinese and Indian communities.

For example, Harapan will recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), the examination taken in Chinese Independent schools, for entry into public universities.

This is on condition that they receive a credit in Bahasa Malaysia.

Harapan also carved out a special section in its manifesto with extensive measures to uplift the Indian community.

On Malay issues, apart from reiterating the customary constitutional provisions such as on special privileges and the Malay rulers, it also outlined several policy matters.

Among them is a proposal to increase bumiputera equity through a management buyout of government-linked companies (GLC).

Harapan will also require the Malay agenda to be tabled and debated in Parliament annually.

Additionally, it will make public the data on Malay equity ownership which will be incorporated in the national budget annually.

It also proposed to upgrade the royal museum at Istana Negara to a National Education Museum and will encourage public universities to promote Malay civilisation.

The coalition also pledged to protect Malay reserve land.

Help for Indian stateless and B40

For the Indian community, detailed in a special section of the manifesto, Harapan will, among others, help construct a Tamil secondary school at the government's expense.

It also seeks to resolve the issue of stateless Indians within 100 days if Harapan captures Putrajaya.

Harapan will also instruct the national housing agency to make housing for the B40 Indians and former estate workers a priority.

Furthermore, it will also require developers developing former estate land to ensure housing to former estate workers.

The manifesto added that among others, Harapan will set up a scheme similar to Felda for Indians.

The coalition also promised to resolve the issue of unilateral child conversion in a harmonious manner.

There was also a special provision for Chinese new villages, where the coalition proposed that it will triple funding from RM20 million to RM 60 million.

It also promised to provide cheap loans to businesses in Chinese villages. -Mkini