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Pakatan Rakyat has to do better than BN

Pakatan Rakyat held its first convention and introduced a common policy framework. I received a cheering sms that evening. Many people are having high expectations for Pakatan Rakyat, hoping it to rule and change the country. But how much changes can Pakatan Rakyat bring?

Pakatan Rakyat must be different from BN if it wants to change the country. The difference must be at least 70% to 80% but it can now achieve only 50%.

A common platform is the future direction for Pakatan Rakyat but from the platform, we can see that there are still contradictions, not enough of boldness and openness, as well as lack of forward-looking views within Pakatan Rakyat.

One of the contradictions is “to restore local government elections” as promised by DAP. It is not mentioned in the common platform as PAS does not agree with it. How are they going to hand state power back to the people and strengthen democracy without a local government elections? It is good that the three component parties of Pakatan Rakyat is able to compromise and avoid split. But with different political ideas, they may end up compromising their principles and conflicts will break out sooner or later. Therefore, the most appropriate approach is to seek the unity of ideas.

PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang admitted that it is not the right time for Pakatan Rakyat to register as a coalition now as the three parties are having different political ideas. If the contradictions are not eliminated, the people will have no confidence to allow Pakatan Rakyat to become the federal government.

From the platform, we can also see that Pakatan Rakyat is still having great political scruples. Why when they are emphasising on ending racial politics and implementing “people-oriented national economy”, they do not promise to abolish the New Economic Policy (NEP) and related goals, including the racial quota system? Pakatan Rakyat is afraid of losing Malay support.

Why they mention only the amendment for the Printing Presses and Publishing Act (PPPA) and the University and University College Act (UUCA) but do not promise to repeal these laws or unreasonable provisions? Why they only mention about “expanding the scope of Malaysian Qualifications Agency to oversee and advice local and foreign certificates that are in line with academic standards” but not directly say that they recognise the Unified Examination Certification?

We all know that the country's economy is in a predicament and why doesn't Pakatan Rakyat come out with forward-looking strategies so that the people can see its differences with BN?

During the open days of the government's transformation plan, many people expressed their dissatisfaction, particularly law and order and corruption issues. This is a good opportunity for Pakatan Rakyat. As long as it can do better than BN, it will certainly have chances to take the federal regime.

Pakatan Rakyat has been in power in a few states. It can build its credibility by demonstrating outstanding administrative ability, such as mobilising its state resources, including local governments, to cooperate with the people and build communities with good law and order. Through legislation, enforcement and monitoring mechanism, they can create an incorruptible society.

Pakatan Rakyat should not let the federal government to bear the full responsibility to eradicate criminal and corruption. Instead, it is obligated, too, to build a better society. The three parties of Pakatan Rakyat used to criticise the poor efficiency of civil services before but we seldom see them putting efforts in improving the efficiency of civil servants since they took over the state regimes. Instead, like BN, they give only reward but not punishment. How is Pakatan Rakyat going to change the country if its ruling ability is just the same as BN?

The general elections ended a year and nine months ago and Pakatan Rakyat should no longer ask for the honeymoon period. It is now the time for it to receive the people's assessment. Pakatan Rakyat must do better than BN to qualified itself as a substitute coalition. (By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)

MySinchew
2009.12.21

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