Socialism Forum 2019: Pakatan’s dismal performance is glaring
KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan’s lacklustre performance in fulfilling its promises is a sad case, said Bersih 2.0 chairperson Thomas Fann.
Speaking at the Socialism Forum 2019 held at the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall yesterday, Fann said Pakatan had only fulfilled some of its promises made under its election manifesto.
“After one and a half year in power. Pakatan scorecard stands at only 37.5%, in our objective appraisal for its reforms pledges made.
“Pakatan’s commitment to electoral, parliamentary and political reforms is moving at snail’s pace,” he said.
Also present at the forum were Nottingham University lecturer V Gayathry, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar and his deputy S Arutchelvan.
The forum was entitled What is New in Malaysia, Post-General Election 2018.
However, Fann acknowledged that Pakatan’ had fulfilled some of its key promises, among them is keeping the prime minister away from the finance portfolio in order to maintain check and balance.
“They have also made it compulsory for the Public Account’s Committee chairman post to be held by the opposition MP. Plus, Pakatan had also lowered the voting age to 18,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gayathry said it was upsetting that Pakatan had not made any guarantees in safeguarding media freedom.
Although she acknowledged the government was trying to push for the Freedom of Information Act, Gayathry said there are still laws that be applied to stifle press freedom.
She added that it was also distressing that the media was too keen on highlighting sensational stories, instead of paying attention on grassroots problems.
“The changes that we hope for, require commitment from Pakatan leadership and part of it must also come from the media themselves,” she said.
By Irman Hashim and Uqbah Soperi
