Brickbats for PH’s one year in power
By K Pragalath
PUCHONG: One year in the corridors of power, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government was given a big thumbs down as the people felt that it was a government of unfulfilled promises.
This was reflected in a Twitter poll conducted by The Leaders Online.
At the time of writing a total of 64 people voted. Of this number, a total of 63 percent rated PH as disappointing. That is about two third of the entire voters.
There has not been much to look forward to under the current government. Rising cost of living and scarcity of jobs are among factors that have led to the disappointment.
If the present government fails to address the rising discontentment, then no one needs to be surprised over the possibility of PH becoming a one-time short-lived wonder government.
Umno acting president Datuk Mohamad Hasan speculated that the GE 15 could be held as early as two years from now instead of 2023 when the current mandate expires.
That is a viable possibility since PKR president and Port Dickson MP, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would favor a fresh mandate once he took over instead of banking on current premier, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
While the number of total voters is small, the sentiments is a reflection of the ground sentiment that is unhappy because Pakatan failed to live up to the expectation of the people.
It also failed to live up to its own expectation. PH’s expectation can be viewed in its own manifesto – Rebuilding our nation, Fulfilling our hopes – a 194 page document.
Only 12 percent felt that the new government is fulfilling. Why was that the case? It is likely due to them receiving work from the government which is attempting to introduce open tendering at all levels.
Another 12 percent polled no action talk only. This means for the past one year, PH has been riding on its promises which are mostly unfulfilled.
Take the example of returning the status of Sabah and Sarawak for instance.
Instead of returning the status of the two states as originally envisioned, the government attempted to push a bill with superficial changes.
The balance 12 percent felt that there was no difference between a PH government from BN.
Why is that so? Under BN, its operatives were mostly rewarded with positions within government linked corporations and government linked investment corporations.
As PH used 1Malaysia Development Berhad as campaign fodder, it can’t use GLC and GLICs. It instead is using government boards and agencies as platforms to ensure support from its second and third tier leaders.
Take the example of Agriculture and Agro Industries Minister, Salahuddin Ayub.
The agriculture boards and agencies under the ministry are led by individuals from Amanah – the party where Salahuddin is deputy president.
