What the general election is really about

 

This election is not about race, is not about religion, not about iPads and angpaos, not about saving Malaysia from riots or bankruptcy. This election is about installing a caring government that puts the people’s welfare first. This election is about enabling Malaysia to reach its greatest potential because we can.

A manifesto is crucial for us to evaluate each coalition’s policy direction and stance.

It is also important to consider the long-term implication for each policy. For instance, parliamentary reform, corruption mitigation, business formation and housing reforms are more sustainable than direct cash handouts.

The manifesto, however, is not as straightforward. While it offers us a snippet of each coalition’s policy direction, it is questionable whether the candidates themselves are competent enough to implement these policies.

Ideas can be easily copied. It is a matter of whether they can be reasonably implemented. Would we want to experience another case of unfulfilled promises or “janji dicapati”? Should we give another opportunity to politicians that have lied, siphoned money, and played with people’s lives? This is a question Malaysians should ask themselves before going to the polls tomorrow.

The coalitions compared

We are not working with a blank canvas. The more popular coalitions – Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional – have had a go at the federal government.

A component party of each coalition runs a sitting state government. We have the avenue to evaluate their track records.

If Ismail Sabri Yaakob is reinstalled as the prime minister, he will undoubtedly bring about political stability. His prudent political manoeuvring has brought about stability not seen in Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration and, therefore, should be given credit.

However, his administration comes with two major flaws. Firstly, he favours loyalty rather than competency. This gives him a firm grip on power, but he has appointed a group of incompetent folks that run the country to the ground. Secondly, he can never get away from Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s strong influence. This general election is proof of that.

If Muhyiddin is back in power, can he maintain political stability? It is unlikely that PN will win singlehandedly and will rely on forming a joint government with BN. As past experience has shown, BN would probably not be happy with taking a back seat and would attempt to destabilise the government again.

The loyalty of PAS is also questionable. Remember that PAS used to be one of the component parties of Pakatan Rakyat. It then went on to work with BN and, most recently, with Bersatu.

Suppose Anwar Ibrahim is able to be PM this time around. In that case, PH is likely to provide a more stable government than Ismail or Muhyiddin’s.

The core component parties under PH have been working together since 2013. There is no reasonable justification to suggest any breakaway from the status quo.

From 2018 to 2020, the PH government introduced various government reforms and governed reasonably well. That said, PH also has its slew of political power grabs and infighting – part of the reasons they performed poorly in the Melaka and Johor state elections.

This will be Anwar’s biggest threat if PH wins the election. Whether he can successfully manage internal issues is yet to be proven.

Positive politics

During a walkabout in the Bukit Bendera constituency, the PH and BN candidates ran into each other. There was a wholesome exchange of pictures, campaign pamphlets and an understanding between the two to promote positive politics.

We need to centre our discussion around policies and competencies instead of promoting a tribalistic mentality.

Vote for what you believe in, vote for a caring and competent government, and vote for a government that will put our best interests at heart. Selamat mengundi! - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.