Kuala Lumpur, 16 November 2021 – The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) is encouraged by the pledges made by both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan in their respective manifestos for the upcoming Malacca state elections to be held on 20th November, in which both emphasize political stability and equitable economic development. However, IDEAS warns that high promises by all the competing coalitions must be institutionalized in order to become meaningful.
In particular, IDEAS expresses support for Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto’s pledges aimed towards promoting stability and transparency in Malacca’s politics, including the pledge to give equal allocations to all Malacca assemblymen regardless of party affiliation, a pledge to enact an anti-hopping enactment, a pledge to make it compulsory for all assemblymen to declare their assets, and to practice open tendering processes for all public procurement in the state.
Similarly, the Barisan Nasional manifesto also promised to give equal allocations to all assemblymen, a promise which they stated they would implement in the first 100 days. However, IDEAS regrets that Perikatan Nasional did not have similar pledges in their own recently released manifesto.
As stated by IDEAS CEO, Tricia Yeoh, “All of these promises made so far are encouraging signs that both BN and PH have recognised the rakyat’s frustration with the ongoing political instability. While promises are good, they need to be institutionalised in order to be effective and sustainable, especially with regards to asset declaration and public procurement policies. We also hope that greater attention can be given to large public infrastructure projects in Malacca, such as the failed Melaka Gateway Project, which has now been transformed into the Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone. Politicians would do well to shed light on these large projects’ feasibility, availability of information and economic impact on the state. Are these projects people-centred and will they result in positive outcomes, ultimately?”
IDEAS also notes other pledges made by each competing coalition to promote inclusiveness in Malaccan politics, as well as deal with the socio-economic fallout from COVID-19. For instance, the think tank commends a proposal by Barisan Nasional to amend the state constitution to appoint five non-elected assemblyman comprising youths and non-governmental organizations leaders in order to widen the state assembly’s perspective beyond politics, as well as a proposal by Pakatan Harapan to set up two funds to protect citizens from the physical and mental effects of COVID-19.
IDEAS also expressed approval for Perikatan Nasional’s proposal to set up an Implementation Monitoring Special Committee composed of local professionals and those with vast experience in order to ensure a Perikatan Nasional government would fulfill their pledges.
IDEAS also expresses approval that each coalition had promised aid for the tourism sector, which is one of Malacca’s most important industries and employers. Among the tourism-related policies proposed by the competing coalitions included a pledge by Pakatan Harapan to set up a fund specifically to help the tourism industry’s recovery, as well as a proposal by Perikatan Nasional to turn Malacca into a health tourism destination of choice, a port of call for cruise ships travelling along the Malacca Straits, as well as a centre for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).
As Yeoh noted, “It is encouraging that each coalition has promised in one form or another to implement innovative policies which would promote greater transparency and accountability in Malaccan politics, as well as help cushion the blow from the COVID-19 pandemic. We would encourage each coalition to release the relevant information regarding how they intend to actualize their respective pledges should they form a government. As it is becoming the norm for state elections to be held separately from the General Election, it is increasingly important for political parties to commit to transparency and public accountability at the subnational level. For example, no single state government in Malaysia provides a copy of their annual budget publicly available on their websites anywhere. If we are to hold state assembly persons accountable to their pledges, it should start with state government transparency.”
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