Missed chance to highlight states' successes, failures

It is sad that the state elections, where voters are supposed to scrutinise how well the state governments have performed, are instead being fashioned as a referendum for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

They are being used as a seductive hook to gauge his popularity or, in other words, if he would be able to complete his mandate.

It is almost the eve of the elections but the ceramah and fiery speeches are still being used to position Aug 12 as a national and not local polls.

And in doing so, we have wasted an opportunity to showcase the policies of the Selangor, Penang, and Negeri Sembilan state governments.

Or to highlight the huge lack of progress in states ruled by the federal opposition: Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah.

Selangor has successfully implemented programmes that benefit women, through medical check-ups, and also the larger communities through the Rakyat Dialysis Centre, microcredit without interest up to RM50,000, free water, free tuition, and funeral expenses for senior citizens and OKUs.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at an election campaign ceramah

Penang increased its annual aid to senior citizens, Single Mother Assistance Programme, and Golden Housewife Programme.

Negeri Sembilan unfolded an additional RM10 million aid package to assist its people during the Covid-19 lockdown.

While a simple Google search will show us the efforts by these state governments, it would also caricature the drinking water issues thus far in Kelantan and the prime minister’s response of announcing an additional allocation of RM500 million to resolve the issue.

It would also demonstrate how an article by Malaysiakini in 2018 described Terengganu as a tale of weak leadership and wasted assets.

Kedah, besides it’s caretaker menteri besar and his antics, struggles with inadequate water supply among other issues.

Kedah caretaker menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor

These stories of progress by Pakatan Harapan and the failure of the opposition-run states are what should dominate the ceramah circles so the rakyat know who is concerned about their basic rights and welfare.

To those in Selangor, Penang, and Negeri Sembilan, please look at what the state governments have implemented for you before you vote.

Meanwhile, Anwar’s progressive wage policy will mitigate inflation and increase purchasing power.

He is committed to end hardcore poverty by the end of this year and is also looking into issues plaguing the e-hailing workers.

So, to those in the opposition-run states, vote for Anwar and his unity government if you would like to see progress on par with the rest of the country as well. - Mkini

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CHARLES SANTIAGO is the National Water Service Commission (Span) chairperson and a former Klang MP.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.