Don’t cheat on manifestos this time, voters will retaliate

 

Malaysian politics is in uncharted waters, with a unity government comprising four coalitions and several parties. Also, the prime minister comes from a multiracial party for the first time. Anwar Ibrahim is PKR president while all his predecessors headed Malay-Muslim parties when helming the government.

Besides inheriting issues related to two weak and troubled governments over the last three years, Anwar faces a huge challenge in trying to mix and match the manifesto pledges made by the diverse coalitions during their election campaigns.

But the government simply cannot delay the implementation of its promises by giving this as an excuse as no one is going to buy it. They are just eager to see results. We saw how the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad from May 2018 to March 2020 was pulverised by Malaysians for not keeping many of its key promises.

However, Malaysians should give this government some leeway while it sorts out the question of which pledges it should and can implement as soon as possible. Obviously, many of them need some planning before they can be put in place.

There is nothing wrong if Anwar decides to put some of the difficult ones on the back burner but he better have some valid reasons, or the voters are going to scream.

In this context, the committee to be set up by the chief secretary to the government Zuki Ali to pick and choose from among the manifestos of all coalitions in the government is quite acceptable. But one hopes this will not be used by the government to buy time.

In cases of coalition cabinets, government policies are expected to reflect some kind of compromise based on the programmes of the participating parties.

In future general elections or by-elections, voters will not only judge parties according to their policy programmes but also by scrutinising if they have kept their promises.

In view of this, the unity government should not waste time in implementing some of the pledges that can be put in place quickly and which can directly ease the rising cost of living, especially on those in the B40 and M40 categories. Among them are:

Cap on maximum daily commuting cost (PH)

PH had promised to cap the daily travel cost of all Malaysians using public transport to RM5. This will not only reduce the monthly expenditure of workers and students, it will also help reduce traffic on the roads. As for senior citizens, PH gave an assurance it will introduce free travel in public transport for them.

Targeted writing off of PTPTN loans (PH)

PH offered to cancel PTPTN loans of students from households in the B40 category and below. The minimum repayment of these loans for others will be based on their starting salaries once they enter the workforce.

Assistive Basic Income (BN)

Barisan Nasional (BN) pledged to overcome absolute poverty by implementing the Assistive Basic Income (ABI). Under this scheme, all households with an income of less than RM2,208 will have a fixed monthly allowance banked into their accounts automatically.

Universal children’s benefit (PH)

All new-born children from low-income households will receive a monthly cash benefit until they reach the age of six. However, it did not specify the minimum income of those who could be eligible. This is to help them with the fees for their early education.

Guarantee of citizenship (PH)

PH promised that Article 14 (1) of the Federal Constitution will be amended to ensure children born overseas to Malaysian mothers with foreign spouses are entitled to Malaysian citizenship, just as that being enjoyed by fathers currently.

Free breakfast (PH)

Free nutritious breakfast for primary school children every school day, especially for those coming from low-income households so that they do not suffer from malnutrition.

Cutting higher education costs (BN)

The coalition pledged to cut study costs of students in institutions of higher learning by at least half with the introduction of a flexible education system which involves 50% on-campus learning and the rest via online.

Eradicating period poverty (PH)

PH promised to make free sanitary pads available in all schools and to those from B40 households at strategic locations.

Taking over the management of low-cost flats (PH)

PH pledged that the government would take over the management of all low-cost flats to help bring about a safe and liveable environment. This is also to reduce the living expenditure of the occupants in these homes who are mainly from the low-income group.

RM199 Sabah and Sarawak Graduates air travel (PH)

The offer of a return airfare of RM199 between the peninsular and Sabah and Sarawak twice a year to offset the current high airfares which have become a dilemma for the students who are deprived of seeing their family members for long periods.

Employees Retention Fund (BN)

BN promised to launch an Employees Retention Fund (ERF) to help companies retain their workers during economic and health crises when they are forced to shut down. The government, employers and workers must jointly contribute to this fund which will help all parties.

Review of highway concessions (PH)

PH pledged to undertake a review of the PLUS highway concessions with the aim of reducing tolls in stages and eventually do away with them and return the highway to public ownership.

Eradication of cartels in the food sector (PH)

The eradication of cartels in the food sector will be a strategy to overcome the rising cost of living. This will lead to a fairer system which can stop profiteering.

Problem of contract doctors (PH)

PH pledged to resolve the plight of thousands of contract doctors who have not been offered permanent places in government service. It pledged to resolve the problem permanently.

While these may be only some of the pledges made by the coalitions before GE15, they obviously are the easiest to implement. These promises, if implemented, will see the rakyat benefitting immediately.

This will see some form of reduction in the cost of living while the unity government comes up with long term plans to ease the burden of the people. - FMT

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